An “angel of the NHS” who has nursed patients for 45 years has finally hung up her uniform to embark on a well-eared retirement.
Sister Marilyn Padget fulfilled her childhood dream of becoming a nurse when she qualified at 20 but has retired from the Anticoagulation Service at The Queen Elizabeth Hospital on Friday, August 2.
Marilyn, who has looked after patients in both North Cambs Hospital and the QEH, is looking forward to spending more time with her growing family.
To celebrate the exceptional care she has given to patients and dedication to her team, Marilyn was presented with one of the QEH’s Living Our Values Outstanding Contribution Award.
Marilyn said: “The contact with the patients is the best thing. I would like to think that I give 100% to my patients. I would go to the ends of the earth to make sure they received the right treatment.
“There have been times when it has been hard but I would not have changed things for the world. You meet so many nice people, we have a laugh, sometimes cry, but you just get on with it and become a big family.”
Marilyn’s passion for care began while still at school when she worked at a care home in Outwell and later went onto complete her pre-nursing course at Wisbech college after leaving school.
She joined North Cambs Hospital at the age of 18 and over the next two years completed her nursing training.
After qualifying, Marilyn worked with the A&E department at North Cambs Hospital for 13 years before having a break to have her two sons.
She said: “When the youngest went to school, I decided to come back and went onto complete my conversion course and worked in MAU at the QEH for 10 years.”
Marilyn was forced to take a six-month break while being treated for cancer but soon was eager to return to work and changed specialities to work in the DVT Clinics.
She has played a key role in the service achieving Exemplar Status in Venous Thromboembolism.
Marilyn said: “With A&E and MAU, you never knew what was coming through the door but I have enjoyed the independence of running the DVT clinics.
“And I could not ask for a better team of people to work with.”
Chief Executive Caroline Shaw has thanked Marilyn for her dedication to the health service and her patients.
She said: “Marilyn has truly been an angel of the NHS by giving 45 years of dedicated service to patients in West Norfolk and Fenland.
“She has touched countless lives during her four decades as a nurse, often going above and beyond the call of duty to support her patients. It has been an honour to have a nurse of Marilyn’s calibre as part of the team here.”
—ENDS—
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