One of Peterborough hospital’s longest serving nurses looks back on her 40-year career

Annette first started working at Peterborough City Hospital in 1989 as a Unit Manager on the medical and surgical wards, spending nine years in the role before leaving to become a community school nurse,

In 2009, she returned to the hospital and has been there ever since, working in a variety of roles such as an educator for children’s services and Assistant Director of Nursing, before rising to the role of the hospital’s Deputy Chief Nurse.

She worked her last day on Friday after what she described as the most challenging time of her career.

The ongoing coronavirus pandemic has put a great strain on the NHS and has demanded a lot from its staff.

Annette said: “It was such a difficult time, it was very intense and there was a lot going on.

“I had never previously experienced anything like it. The number of patients gradually escalated, surgeries had to stop, wards closed and staff were being asked to work anywhere.

“It was really hard work, especially for those in the full PPE.

“It was really hot at the time of the initial outbreak and they were dripping in sweat.

“Everyone played their part though and my role involved helping to up-skill our staff, lots had to retrain and go back on to wards and had to show great flexibility.”

It is this patient care that Annette, who started her training at Addenbrooke’s in 1977, believes is the biggest change she has seen throughout her career.

She said: “When I first started, we used to keep people in for far too long.

“You could come in for surgery and stay for two weeks, which is ridiculous.

“Now we have a lot more research and know more about blood clots so we like to get people moving rather than lying in bed for too long, which is bad for you.

“I have also seen nurses become better educated. The academic side is not everything but it is still important to know about the human body.

“I’ve seen antibiotics overused in my career, to the point where the process to create one now is very difficult.

“Medicine has improved though, I could probably write a book on the peculiar cases I’ve had to I’ve dealt with but things change and you have to adapt.”

As well as working in Peterborough, Annette’s career has taken her across the country.

She has spent time at the then newly opened Hinchingbrooke Hospital in the early 80s, befor becoming a ward sister at Hereford County Hospital and then moving to Lincolnshire, where she met her husband and decided to make the move to Peterborough.

She added: “I have enjoyed all of my career. I spent a brief time at Peterborough in a more strategic role, focused on report writing.

“That was less patient focused and would be my least favourite role, if any. I prefer talking to people and feel I am good at explaining things.

“Communication is so important in this job. By using simple words and making sure they understand what it going on, I can help take away some of that fear.

“Working at Great Ormond Street, where I moved to after my three years at Addenbrooke’s has to be the highlight though.

“I loved every minute of looking after the children alongside working and living in London.

“I loved working at Peterborough too and reaching Deputy Chief Nurse made me incredibly proud. It was a really emotional moment what it came to leaving.

“Especially saying goodbye to Jo Bennis, the Chief Nurse, as we’ve worked so closely together for 12 years.”