4500 years of service and beyond...

On Thursday, staff and their guests gathered in the Hexagon to celebrate the Long Service and Retirement awards.

 

Gareth Goodier, the chief executive, said: "This year we have 236 individuals celebrating 10 years of service, 79 celebrating 20 years and 19 people are celebrating a magnificent 30 years of service to this Trust. In total that is a staggering 4500 years of service. You have all made a fantastic contribution to this hospital."

 

Mary Archer, the chairman, was not only presenting awards to staff, she also received a surprise award herself. Having started at the Trust in 1993, Dr Archer received her slightly overdue 15 year award. This was the first of a new set of awards, given out that recognise 15, 25 and 35 years of service. Staff that have reached any of these milestones will be contacted directly in the very near future.

 

In addition to those receiving their long service awards, we were also saying thank you and goodbye to 42 retirees, including Barry Chandler, who retired from his position in Estates and Facilities in March after 31 years service:

 

How long have you been here?

I retired two weeks short of my 32nd year at the Trust.

 

What was the best part of your job?

I had a fantastic team of over 200 people and I really enjoyed managing them all.

 

How did it change over the years?

I started off as a craftsman on the Trumpington Street site, after a promotion I moved into a more supervisory role before moving on to my final position as Clinical Support Manager.

 

What were the challenges of the job?

I always strived to provide the best service I possibly could, and make sure it came in on budget – this was always a challenge!

 

 

Also receiving their awards for 30 years service were specialist nurses, Quita Tuffnell and Chris Tuttle, who both work in Endoscopy:

 

How long have you been here?

We are both Addenbrooke's trained nurses. Quita was the first Endoscopy nurse to be employed when the department started in 1982.

 

What is the best part of your job?

We are both nurse endoscopists so we actually get to do the job and perform the procedures.

 

How has it changed over the years?

Back in 1982 we only had one scope, which Quita used to clean in a bucket of disinfectant. There are now over 50 scopes and we have a purpose built decontamination unit.

 

What are the challenges of the job?

Technology is always changing and so it is always a challenge trying to keep yourself up to date. We have been lucky and have grown with the developments, rather than having to learn it all at once like some of our colleagues!

 

 

Eric Miller is a steriliser engineer for the Regional Steriliser Service based here at Addenbrooke's:

 

How long have you been here?

I am very proudly receving my 10 year award today.

 

What is the best part of your job?

My role means I am out and about all over the country and I get the chance to pass on my skills by teaching trainee engineers.

 

How has it changed over the years?

Technology has come on leaps and bounds, the changes in the last 10 years have been tremendous.

 

What are the challenges of the job?

The next step is to become an authorising engineer, thankfully I've just passed all the exams, now all I need to do is get through the interview!

 

 

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