NHS staff thanked as health care service turns 72

Lilian Fairhurst has been a nurse for 50 years in the Rochdale area

The Northern Care Alliance NHS Group has thanked all its staff for their hard work and dedication over the year, coinciding with the 72nd birthday of the NHS on Sunday 5 July.

Over 1,200 staff members have over 30 years’ experience in the NHS, equating to 44,635 total years’ service in both clinical and non-clinical roles, caring for patients in hospital and community settings.

NCA chief executive, Raj Jain, said: “We always celebrate the formation of the NHS on 5 July, but this year has a particular significance for us as we work through the most challenging of times which many of us will never have known before.

“I am proud of all the staff within the NCA who are working above and beyond their normal capacity, but I would like to pay particular tribute to those staff who have many years’ service within the NHS. Their dedication to improving and saving the lives of countless patients over the years, in both direct and indirect patient care is outstanding.”

Lilian Fairhurst, a staff nurse in outpatients at Rochdale Infirmary, has reminisced about her time in the NHS.

Lilian has been nursing for around 50 years in the Rochdale area and is well known for her care and compassion.  Working on nights for the majority of her career at both Birch Hill Hospital and Rochdale Infirmary, she has also worked within the A&E department and for the last 20 years within the outpatient department.

She said: “I have always wanted to help people and so nursing was the perfect career for me. I love my job and making patients feel at ease is so important to me. A smile works wonders for both patients and staff.

“I am proud of what I have achieved in my career and of being part of the outpatients department team. We respect each other and work well together, no matter what our role. From nursing staff, to porters, admin staff, to cleaners, we all have our part to play in the team.”