There was a terrific turnout for Pharmacy's Sandra McDonagh.

She started in 1975 as a Student Pharmacy Technician and had a career break to look after her three children then returned part-time and has worked here for 26 years.

She says becoming an Accredited Checking Technician was her career highlight and is now looking forward to travelling -  and staying for longer periods of time.

She has a son and family in Australia and she will also be looking after her new Granddaughter one day a week.

During her career, the Pharmacy Technician role developed from just dispensing and preparation of medicines to involve many other functions such as CDs, ward-based activities with drug history checks, accuracy checking and teaching of others (pharmacist, pre-registration graduates, students) and becoming NVQ assessors.

Anita Hill, said: "Sandra is a colleague that all will miss and whom is dedicated, conscientious, dependable, reliable, safe pair of hands, calm and helpful. She was always giving of her best for patient care and to support her colleagues."