New Children’s Ward Manager at West Suffolk Hospital

Date:       Saturday, February 19, 2005

Time:      Noon

Venue:    Children’s Outpatients Depart, West Suffolk Hospital, Bury St Edmunds

Event:     Photo of new Ward Manager Ann Robinson

A nurse who has worked with children at West Suffolk Hospital for more than 20 years has been appointed the hospital’s Children’s Ward Manager.

Ann Robinson, who lives in Glemsford, takes over from Karen Higgins, who has joined Addenbrooke's Hospital in Cambridge.

Ann started her nurse training at West Suffolk Hospital in 1981 as a mature student. She qualified in 1984. She worked as a nurse on the children’s ward for six years before going to Great Ormond Street Hospital in London for 14 months to train in paediatrics. Ann then returned to Bury St Edmunds and later became a Ward Sister.

Ann said of her new role: " I’m thrilled. It’s going to be a big challenge but I’ve always loved working with children and I have the support of a great team."

Ann’s role as Ward Manager will be to ensure the smooth day-to-day running of the Rainbow Unit, which includes the children’s ward and children’s outpatient department. She will manage a team of 30 staff.

Ann will be celebrating with staff at a party on Saturday (Feb 19) to mark the fifth anniversary of the Rainbow Unit.

Staff at the Rainbow Unit have invited former patients and staff, and anyone who helped with fundraising, to the outpatients department to celebrate. For the children, there will be entertainment, including a teddy bear’s clinic; and for the adults a chance to visit the ward and speak to staff to see how things have changed over the last five years. The party takes place between noon and 3pm.

19 February 2005