A staggering 1,700 years of local NHS service by 66 members of staff from East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust was honoured last week during a special Long Service Awards ceremony.
The Long Service Awards were presented by Chief Executive, Kevin McGee and Chair, Professor Eileen Fairhurst who shone the spotlight on staff who have reached a key milestone of 25 years’ service at the Trust’s five hospitals and community health services.
Long-serving staff accepted invitations to the ceremony held in the Royal Blackburn Teaching Hospital’s Grane Restaurant. After enjoying a three-course meal prepared by the Trust’s catering team, guests were each presented with a commemorative certificate and £50 shopping voucher (donated by East Lancashire Hospitals official charity, ELHT&Me) as a small token of the Trust’s appreciation.
Senior Biomedical Scientist Heather Birch has worked at the trust since 1993. She said: “I love my job which is the main reason why I’ve stayed so many years since starting work at Burnley General and then moving to Royal Blackburn in 2008.
Outpatients Receptionist Elaine Nicholls has devoted the last 25 years of her working life to the NHS patients of Rossendale, starting work at the old Rossendale Hospital in 1994 before moving to Rossendale Hub in 2005. “It’s been a pleasure to work with some wonderful colleagues down the years, there’s a real sense of community in Rossendale and it’s good to know you’re working to help local people,” said Elaine.
Presenting the Long Service Awards, Chief Executive Kevin McGee, said: “As an organisation we are passionate about recognising staff who show commitment and dedication to the Trust and the work they do.
“This is why we celebrate the wealth of experience and expertise of so many staff who have devoted the majority of their working lives to the local NHS. The ceremony is an opportunity to celebrate this great achievement together and thank these members of staff for their continuous service.”
25-Year Long Service Awards are presented to:
Amanda Donaghy Joanne Smith
Andrew Hook Judith Bridge
Anne Green Julie Cross
Anne Hamer Julie Taylor
Anne Howarth Karen Sloan
Catherine Blackledge Lesley Cardwell
Catherine Fletcher Linda Gregson
Charlotte Priestley Linda Whiteoak
Charlotte Smith Lisa Snelson
Clare Hurst Lorraine Richardson
Clive Lewis Louise Moir
Deborah Shirt Louise Morley
Donna Gill Lynn Molloy
Dr Ana Del Rio Lynne Booth
Dr Gerard Sheran Perera Margaret Bradley
Dr Helen Ribbans Margaret Harrison
Dr Nedal Sattar Margaret McCormack
Dr Shahid Munir Ahmad Michelle Riley
Elaine Nicholls Mohammed Patel
Elizabeth Payne Nicola Barrett
Ellen Baldwin Patricia Grimshaw
Fatima Utarkar Philippa Dwyer
Fazlur Hassan Rachael Lockheed
Haleh Peel Rashida Patel
Hameedabai Kana Samina Saboor
Heather Birch Sandra Clarke
Helen Connolly Shameema Reidy
Helen Marsden Susan Passmore
Janet Ryder Susan Thomas
Janet Weir Suzanne Milligan
Jacqueline Loftus Tina Lewis
Jennifer Lomas Tracy Beesley
Joanne Howard Vanessa Donnelly