Lovely Julie Bottomley celebrated her 40 years a nurse on Bonfire Night - and her colleagues ensured it was a sparkler, a real banger of a day and said it with flowers.

As everyone knows our Breast Care team is a closeknit family of exceptionally talented and caring nurses so they couldn't let Julie's big anniversary go without a celebration.

Her colleague, Joyce Graham hailed her as "a superstar within our team." She said: "Julie or Dr B, as she is commonly known, is the mischievous one in our team. She has a quick humour and wit as well as a vast range of expertise and knowledge.

"As a team we are truly proud to say congratulations and well done for being an outstanding nurse for the past 40 years.

"I have told her she is not allowed to retire until I do, so hopefully she will still be here in 17yrs!!! And yes Julie the flowers were for you."

Here's more about Julie who met her husband on a blind date and is really quite shy, you know! Massive congrats!

Hello My Name Is.... Julie Bottomley . I am a mum of two, and wife of one…. I met my husband on a blind date, one August evening in 1987 and we were married 1 year and one week later.  I have worked for CHFT for 40 years on 05.11.19, and can say from the bottom of my heart that I have enjoyed every minute, I say enjoyed, just for the record I have no plans to retire! I migrated to Halifax age 18 to start my pupil nurse training, and lived in, in the nurses' home at the then Halifax General hospital. This was a massive step for me as I was (and still am!!) shy and retiring, and very much a home bird. The main advantage of coming to Halifax was that I could get back home to Holmfirth on two buses quite easily.  The frequent trips home soon became less frequent once I discovered the night life in Halifax!

What is your position?  Advanced Nurse Practitioner in Breast care, Macmillan clinical nurse specialist in Breast care.

I began my nursing career as an enrolled nurse, and worked in care of the elderly for about 10 yrs before getting married and having my children, to fit in with child care I moved on to permanent nights. Whilst on nights I rotated around various specialities and settled into surgery. I then completed my conversion course, this led me to my registration, and was very proud to become a staff nurse, and wore my silver buckle with pride. My interest in all things breast care began to develop, and /I completed various courses and study days to enable me to have a better understanding

 

What is the highlight of your career so far? The absolute highlight of my career was getting the job as a breast care nurse, the role has changed over the years, and now I am an Advanced Nurse practitioner in Breast Care, something I am immensely proud of having worked my way up from a pupil nurse.

 

Sum up your role in three words: Compassion, Empathy, Knowledgeable.

 

What did you want to be when you were growing up? Well …. A Nurse of course!!
 

Who is your hero/heroine and why? My late Mum, she taught me to laugh , love and be happy .
 

When you are not at work, how do you relax?  Walk my 2 beautiful black Labs, Tilly and Ruby.
 

What is your favourite place?  After Norland Moor… Whitby

 

What would people be surprised to know about you?  That I am actually shy!!!