ULHT Deputy Chief Nurse Jennie Negus:
“I love my job. I’ve cried and laughed; I’ve prayed and celebrated; I’ve been exhausted and drained and uplifted and humbled. I’m privileged to have been a part of people’s lives and done what I can to make a difference.”
Consultant Nurse Cardiology Alun Roebuck:
“As a heart specialist I appreciate how wonderful the NHS is and how we should cherish it. If you are critically unwell the expertise and resources the NHS can commit to your care are world leading and second to none.”
Clinical Education Nurse Samantha McCarthy-Phull:
“I love the NHS and can’t imagine working anywhere else. Not only do I have the privilege of being a nurse in the NHS but it saved my mother’s life and safely brought my 2 babies into the world.”
Palliative and EOLC Discharge Nurse Stephanie Wilkes:
“I have been qualified eight years, My Dad died at a young age of cancer and this inspired me to follow the footsteps into palliative care. The NHS has looked after myself and loved ones, I will be ever thankful.”
Sister at Lincoln County Hospital Tinamarie Griffiths:
“I only ever wanted to nurse and follow in my mum’s footsteps. Interviewed at 16 and 26 years on I still love my job and am proud to be part of the NHS.”
Kelly Simpson, deputy sister/clinical educator, ward 1, Grantham:
“I joined the NHS as I wanted to help people feel well and safe. I am so proud to be a part of the NHS. Working as part of a wonderful team fills the hard days with sunshine and I couldn’t imagine working anywhere else.”
ULHT Clinical Strategy Manager Polly Hyde:
“Four years ago while pregnant and working at Lincoln hospital my appendix ruptured. The team operated and assured me they would try their best to keep the baby safe. My beautiful daughter was delivered 6 months later. I‘m so grateful.”
Outpatient Matron (Lincoln and Louth) Sam Daniels:
“I joined the NHS 23 years ago. I started my working life as a trainee for a bank, but I always knew I wanted to nurse. My daughters work at ULHT, I wonder if they’ll be here in 23 years!”
Lincoln County Hospital Health Care Support Worker Julie Butler:
“14 years ago I gave birth to our son eight weeks early. He had bowel problems and was blue lighted to QMC and at 13 hours old had the first of many operations. Without the NHS he wouldn’t be with us now and for that I’m forever grateful.”
Grantham Ward 1 Sister Rosemary Bull:
“My mum became a midwife in 1948 and passed on her love of nursing to me. So between us we have worked in the NHS almost since the beginning. I still cannot think of anything I’d rather do.”
Palliative and End of Life Care Discharge Liaison Nurse Dawn Watson:
“Without the NHS my wonderful dad wouldn’t be here. LCH saved him, helped bring my children into the world and cared for my friends and family when they’ve been admitted. I am so proud to be part of the NHS, especially ULHT.”
Andy McDowall, Portering Section Leader (Grantham)/Team Leader Hotel Services (Lincoln):
“I joined the NHS back in 2001 as a bank porter and soon became a portering section leader. I have a fabulous team and we all have the same attitude to help everyone and do things to support the patient journey.”
Lincolnshire Clinical Research Facility Manager Susie Butler:
“I joined the NHS in 1989 and it is still a mystery to me why I chose to become a nurse, but I haven’t regretted a minute of it. I have worked with fabulous colleagues and enjoyed the privileged position of being able to give professional compassionate nursing care to many people.”
Sister at Lincoln County Hospital Sandy Hayes:
“41 years ago my hubby Andrew Hayes was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes. He was saved by our wonderful NHS, so today I have an amazing husband, our boys an amazing dad and his parents still have their amazing son.”
Staff Nurse Alex Limb, ward 3b (orthopaedics), Pilgrim Hospital, Boston:
“I am proud to be a nurse because I can make a massive difference not just to the patients but also their relatives. I see them admitted in pain and bedbound, and discharged mobile and appreciative of the care given to them.”
Jim Houghton leads the Pilgrim restaurant team, Boston:
“To my mind the NHS is part of our DNA as a nation. It is a ‘constant’ in all our lives and always there for each and every one of us should we need it at any stage in our life cycle. For me there can be no greater honour than being a small part of helping to deliver that service to our nation.”
Lincoln Hospital @ Night Co-ordinator Gill Rodgers:
“For 50 years I have lived my childhood dream to be a nurse. The highs, the lows. Patients come and go. I have seen changes galore. The different uniforms worn. I am still proud to be part of the NHS.”
Staff Nurse Maxine Motley from Grantham hospital outpatients department:
“I was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s lymphoma while pregnant. My daughter was delivered at 34 weeks so I could start chemotherapy. I survived to carry on being the Mum I so wanted to be and the nurse I already was. Thank you NHS.”
Nigel Brasier is a Volunteer Administrator at Pilgrim Hospital, Boston:
“I have motor neurones disease and thought nobody would take me on. After only being here for one year I became volunteer of the year at the staff awards 2018. I have met some amazing people on this journey and feel that I have finally found work that I enjoy very much.”
Chaplain at Lincoln County Hospital Pamela Beattie:
“The NHS has saved my life and that of my loved ones and continues to save other lives as well as treat millions of patients who would otherwise suffer. I’m so proud to work for the NHS. As a chaplain I’m involved in the pastoral, spiritual and religious care of patients, families and also staff. It’s a privilege only given to the few.”
Gary Newman is a volunteer and spends three days a week helping patients and their families to navigate the corridors at Lincoln County Hospital:
“The NHS helped me in 2012 and this is my way of saying thank you and giving something back. I really enjoy volunteering and it gives me a real sense of purpose, it is so rewarding and it is great to be able to make a difference.”
Deputy Sister Christina Whicker works at Grantham and District Hospital:
“Since joining the NHS I have experienced every emotion, but have enjoyed every moment of it. I strive to do better and my training helped me to identify my husband’s sepsis (prior to hospital admission) and therefore saved his life.”
Matron Mandy Charles, medical services and A&E at Grantham:
“I joined the NHS straight from school 35 years ago, having been a Red Cross cadet as a teenager. I have never considered working anywhere other than the NHS and still very much enjoy playing my part in this national service.”
Staff Nurse at Grantham and District Hospital Alison Golland:
“My mum was a nurse so it was in my blood. No other job I’d rather do.”
Sister Cathie Alcock, Hospice in the Hospital at Grantham hospital:
I joined the NHS in 1992. My mum was a nurse so I followed in her footsteps. I joined nursing to make a difference. To care for others who were undergoing adversity, whether due to an acute illness or a chronic condition. I have always steered towards palliative care and life limiting conditions. Like many nurses I get great reward from my job. It fills my own personal need to be needed!