Long Service Awards for Hospital staff

November 16, 2001

Over 100 staff at West Suffolk Hospitals NHS Trust were given Long Service Awards at a ceremony yesterday (Thursday 15th November).

Veronica Worrall, Chairman of the Trust, presented a certificate and badge to everyone who has achieved over 25 years continuous service with the Trust.  103 staff were invited to the event - 79 who have been with the Trust for over 25 years and 24 who have totalled over 30 years service.

The longest serving member of staff is Chris Bird, senior biomedical scientist, who has been with the Trust for 37 years.  She was presented with a bouquet of flowers to mark her achievement.

"I have enjoyed working at the West Suffolk Hospital, and have made a lot of good friends here," said Chris.  "There have been many changes over the last 37 years, and the hospital seems to be a much busier place these days. I was pleased to get my award, and am sure I will still be at the hospital for a few years to come!"

The awards were given to staff in the Time Out restaurant at the hospital. Nurses, health care support workers, doctors, porters and laboratory staff were among the professions represented.

Trust chairman Veronica Worrall said she was impressed by the loyalty which staff showed to the Trust.  "I think we are fortunate to have such a dedicated and experienced workforce - not all organisations are as privileged as we are," she said.  "To have over 100 people who have worked for the Trust for 25 years or more is a remarkable achievement.  For so many people to have spent so long here shows how rewarding careers in healthcare can be.  I also see this as a mark of approval from staff for the Trust's work/life balance employment policies and flexible working patterns."

Flexible working hours, personal training and development programmes, a Career Break scheme and childcare vouchers are just some of the initiatives introduced by the Trust to improve the working lives of staff.