Dedicated NHS staff celebrated in Wolverhampton
Staff who have dedicated more than 2,000 years of service to the NHS have been celebrated.
The Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust held its inaugural Long Service Awards to recognise "exemplary" staff across its sites.
About 100 members of staff were honoured at the first of three prize-giving ceremonies held earlier this month.
David Loughton, chief executive of RWT, said: "This is a big organisation where we try to do everything we can to make staff feel valued.
"Our longest serving members of staff are a huge asset to this trust. Without them we would not be able to continue delivering the brilliant patient care that we do.
"We are one of the top performing trusts in the region and all that is down to our staff.
“I was honoured to attend the event and look forward to congratulating more of our longest serving staff at the next two events.
“On behalf of myself, the wider NHS and the community I just want to say a huge thank you to all our staff for the amazing work you do every day.”
Staff working for the trust were handed awards for 25, 30, 40 or 50 years of service, as well as for their hard work and commitment to the NHS.
Award winners were treated to afternoon tea at Wolverhampton Racecourse before sharing fond memories of their career.
John Harris, who began work at the former Royal Hospital in 1968 before moving to New Cross Hospital, was in high spirits after winning the highest accolade for more than 50 years of service.
He said: “I can honestly say I’ve looked forward to coming to work here every day. Not every day has been easy but that’s the challenge.
“I, 100 per cent, subscribe to Mr Loughton’s view that if you look after the staff then you look after the hospital.
“I started out as deputy hospital secretary at the Royal Hospital. Of all my jobs, that was the most satisfying.
"In those days you could make a difference as a manager. It was a very hard working hospital and I spent four years as a deputy before moving up to become hospital secretary. I was lucky as it was a big step up.
“I have many, many stories to tell – the first fifty years are the best. I would do it all again – it has been a ball."
