Two decades on many of the group continue to care for patients and families across the hospital – from neonatal and paediatric services to emergency and cancer care – exemplifying the compassion, teamwork and commitment that define nursing at The QEH.
Among those celebrating the 20-year milestone are Stef Clark, who began her career on the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) alongside fellow student nurses Kit King and Simmie Nuccoll, and later joined the newly established Neonatal Community Team in 2014.
Stef reflected: “I feel I have an attachment to The QEH – I was born here and even spent time on the neonatal unit as a baby. Over the years, my colleagues have become like a family. We’ve shared good times, supported each other through challenges, and grown together both personally and professionally.”
Kit, now a Matron for Women and Children, commented: “In 2005 I was so proud to become a registered nurse alongside my student cohort. NICU became my place at The QEH and the staff became my people. I’ve been privileged to work in different neonatal roles on the unit and in the community team, and working with families and their babies has been such an honour.”
Simmie, now a Sister in NICU, recalls the early days of their training with fondness: “There were so many laughs along the way. It’s amazing to think that so many of us are still here 20 years later, still caring for patients and supporting each other as a team. The people I work with – my work family – are what make this job so worthwhile.”
For Chris Harrison, now Lead Nurse for Paediatric Day Surgery, nursing is deeply personal: “I was nursed here as a child and have raised my family here too. I’ve always felt privileged to be able to give back to my community and to care for other people’s children when they need it most.”
Stacyann Lynn, Children’s Community Advanced Clinical Practitioner, says the milestone has given her time to reflect: “Twenty years in nursing feels humbling and heartwarming. It’s the people – the patients, the families and the colleagues – who keep me here. Nursing is built on trust, laughter and shared purpose, and I’ve been lucky to have all of that at The QEH.”
Verity Connolly, now a Haematology Clinical Nurse Specialist, agrees that the profession may have changed, but the heart of nursing remains the same: “Nursing is part of who I am. The cancer unit feels like a family – there’s always been incredible support. We’ve all grown into senior, experienced nurses, and that’s something we should be very proud of.”
Sarah Mallett, now Lead Nurse for Emergency Care and Medicine Improvement, recalls the friendships and camaraderie that shaped their early years: “We were such a close group, and the fact that so many of us have stayed and grown up here is a testament to the hospital. It feels like home.”
Hannah McGill, now an Advanced Clinical Practitioner in the Emergency Department, has spent her whole career in the same department she trained in: “So much has changed – the department is bigger and busier – but the sense of community and support at The QEH is still the same.”
Chief Nurse, Pippa Street, said: “Reaching 20 years in nursing is a wonderful achievement. What’s even more special is that this group have chosen to spend their careers here at The QEH, caring for generations of families in our community. Their compassion, professionalism and dedication embody what nursing is all about – being there for people when they need it most. On behalf of the Trust, I want to thank each of them for their care, commitment and kindness.”
Director of People, John Syson, added: “There are few organisations that have such strong links to their community and are able to support students to have amazing careers over two decades. The QEH a special place to work and the care and continuity of staff like these are an important part of that. They’ve grown their careers here, supported one another through challenges, and helped nurture the next generation of nurses. Their loyalty and teamwork reflect the strong commitment to recruiting and developing local talent and nurturing them through their careers. It’s colleagues like these who make The QEH such a key part of the community in West Norfolk.”
Ends.
Notes to editors; For media enquiries only, please contact Communications Team, media.enquiries@qehkl.nhs.uk or 01553 613216. For all other enquiries, please contact QEH Switchboard on 01553 613613.
Click here to download the press release and photo.
Photo: (from left): Sarah Mallett, Kit King, Stef Clark, Chris Harrison, Simmie Nuccoll, Stacyann.
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