‘Health hero’ retiring after 44 years service

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A Trust nurse, who was named the Health Service Hero at the 2009 Wakefield Express Your Hero Awards, is retiring after more than four decades service with the NHS.

Senior clinical practitioner Ann Lindley works on the psychiatric intensive care unit (PICU) at Fieldhead in Wakefield and has been working "tirelessly" providing care for people for the past 44 years.

Ann started her career as a Registered General Nurse, prior to becoming a Registered Mental Health Nurse and has long been a favourite among people who are cared for by the Trust. She is seen as caring and supportive in what can be an often challenging environment.

Speaking about her career Ann said, "During my time with the NHS I have seen so much change most importantly the value of nurses is now recognised. When I first started we couldn’t even speak to doctors but today nurses have a voice and our opinions matter. Looking to the future of the NHS I hope more money will be spent on training and development and that we invest in students, as they are our future."

Darren Maclean a colleague of Ann’s said, "Ann is one of the most committed and hardest workers on the ward. She often makes special meals and treats for staff – small wonder that she is commonly referred to as mother and it seems fitting that our mother will be leaving us on Mother’s Day, April 3rd. She will be sadly missed by everyone on the ward and I think students in particular will notice her absence as she always has a lot of time for them offering them her expert knowledge from so many years service."

In 2009 Ann was nominated by her team for the ‘health hero award’. They said they wanted to nominate her for her hard work and because "she is too modest to seek any recognition herself". Ann’s colleagues said her positivity improves the ward environment and her nurturing approach enhances the wellbeing of all those who come into contact with her.

Speaking about her retirement Ann said, "I’m actually quite nervous about leaving as it has been such an important part of my life. I will however be joining the bank staff and working a couple of days a week. The rest of my time I will spend going on more holidays and visiting my first grandson."

Darren added, "Ann wholeheartedly deserves this retirement, but the loss to the unit, service users and the team will be beyond measure."

‘Health hero’ retiring after 44 years service

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