International Women’s Day 2024: Seven women from North Devon share over 250 years of service to the NHS

To celebrate International Women’s Day 2024 we are sharing the stories of seven nurses from Litchdon Medical Practice in North Devon who between them have been working for the NHS for over 250 years.

We asked them about their career and what their hopes are for the future of the NHS.

Glenys McCarthy: “I joined the NHS in March 1981 to start my nurse training, so have been in the profession for 42 years.

“I have loved the variety of work I have done, the patients, people and colleagues I have met along the way and the close friendships built through hard work and commitment to caring for those in need sometimes at their lowest ebb.

“Over the last 5 years I have done a more managerial role managing a team of highly skilled nurses in our GP surgery.

“I hope we invest in the NHS for the future health of the nation. People live longer now with growing health needs. We need to ensure this great institution is protected and invested in.”

Tina Sommerville: “I joined the NHS in 1985. I had always wanted to be a nurse for as long as I could remember.

“I’ve never regretted it and I feel privileged to have been part of the patient’s journey in whichever role I was in, including District Nursing, a Diabetes Nurse or practice nurse. In all of these roles I have certainly been part of the NHS from ‘cradle to the grave’.

“My hope for the NHS and its future is that as a profession we continue to strive to give ‘best care’ to the patients whatever challenges we may face.”

Jayne Fewings: “I joined the NHS in September 1971 as a nursing cadet, I was due to start a dental technician course in London but as my father died in October 1970, I didn’t feel able to leave my mother and 10-year-old sister.

“I have never regretted starting a nursing career and worked in several departments – surgery, medicine and gynaecology – before working for 10 years in intensive care unit when my children were small.

“I have always been interested in diabetes and when a diabetes support nurse job was advertised in 1989, I applied for the job and never looked back. The opportunity to educate patients to look after their own long-term condition has always been my driver along with educating other professionals.

“When I moved into general practice in 2010, I was able to broaden my skills to include the management of hypertension and hyperlipidaemia.”

Alison Kedward: “I joined the NHS in 1983 at 18 years of age as a student nurse because it was an apprenticeship training where I gained my Nursing Qualification while working practically and having full time paid employment.

“The best thing about working for the NHS is the variety and constant change.

I love the variety of people of all ages from children to older adults that I meet and interact with.

“I hope that the NHS continues to improve the health of the population and individuals and that services such as palliative care become mainstream funded rather than charity funded.”

Sarah Whittle: “I joined the NHS May 1983, 40 years ago.

“The patients are the best thing about working for the NHS. Their life stories and experiences, the hope and resilience they demonstrate as people in need of our care and advice. The respect and gratitude that most patients show for the NHS, and NHS staff.

“I’ve worked with some amazing colleagues over the years, some of them role models, I think we all need a person to look up to and aspire to be like.

“Medical advances, people living longer, a growing population, and rising public expectation, mean that our NHS resources are now spread so thinly. We need investment in all aspects of caring as a career.”

Gail Angove: “I first joined the NHS in 1978 as a cleaner (Housekeeper) in preparation for the opening of the North Devon District Hospital in 1979.

“I went on to work as an Auxiliary Nurse before training and qualifying as a nurse in 1982.

“The best thing about working for the NHS is that there is no career ceiling and there are countless opportunities to expand skills and experience.”

Sophie McDonald: “I joined the NHS in 1980 as I wanted to join the caring profession.

“The best thing about working for the NHS is the variety and every day is different.

“My hopes for the future of the NHS is that it will continue to grow and improve.”

Both Jane and Gail retired last month – we thank them for all their years of service to the NHS and wish them all the best for a long, happy and healthy retirement.

If anyone in Devon is interested in finding out more about a career in the NHS, please visit: https://www.healthcareers.nhs.uk/