NHS75, NHSRF45 – our members’ stories

As we celebrate the 75th anniversary of the NHS and the 45th birthday of the NHS Retirement Fellowship, here you will find the inspirational stories of our members whose experience shaped the way for the NHS today. Thanks to everyone who took the time to share their stories with us.

June Hewett

June is a true NHS pioneer, starting her career in 1948. Many of our members remember June fondly as their trainer and a passionate advocate for paediatric services. Read her story here:

June Hewett

Sylvia Bagot

Sylvia joined the NHS on a temporary basis from a stint as a secretary in a school as an audiometrist because it fit in around her children. She retired 24 years later. Read her story here:

Sylvia Bagot

Mary Harris

For the next in our series sharing the stories of our members, we head to the Fellowship’s oldest branch in Cheltenham to meet Mary Harris.  Mary describes herself as having a caring streak that needs to be fulfilled. She was a passionate nurse and a dedicated mum who spent years juggling both responsibilities. Read her story here:

Mary Harris

Jayne Tetik

Jayne’s career in paediatrics spanned 46 years. Here she tells us about the changes she saw in her service and how she thinks some of these were for the better. Read her story here:

Jayne Tetik

Shirley Chadwick

Like many of our members, Shirley dreamed of being a nurse from a very young age and was thrilled to achieve her ambitions. Read her story here:

Shirley Chadwick

Bernice Harris

Our next story introduces you to our member Bernice Harris and how she followed in the footsteps of her mum and auntie. Read her story here:

Bernice Harris

Molly Gibson

For the next in our series celebrating #NHS75 through our members memories of their time in the NHS, we go to Blackpool to hear Molly Gibson’s story. Read her story here:

Molly Gibson

Doreen Mundy

Our next member who has shared her story is the award winning nurse Doreen Mundy

Doreen Mundy

Adrienne Alton

Adrienne’s story includes some amazing photographs of the original Royal Surrey County Hospital from the 1950’s

Adrienne Alton

Norma Garthwaite

Norma joined the NHS as a clerical officer and worked her way up to a position where she has been responsible for the purchase of major pieces of medical and surgical equipment at hospitals in both Scotland and England. Read her story here:

Norma Garthwaite

Perta Cheffins

Read how Perta joined the NHS after being a nursery nurse and then spent her career as a midwife delivering hundreds, if not thousands, of babies

Perta Cheffins

Val Notman

Read here about Val’s career as a nurse

Val Notman