A DEDICATED and popular health worker from Malvern has retired following 45 years of service.
June Clarke has been a health care assistant in the county since 1971 and started her career at Ronkswood Hospital – the former main hospital in Worcester – on the heart ward at the age of 24.
There were emotional scenes last week when June completed her final shift at Malvern Community Hospital which was followed by a special retirement party for her arranged by her colleagues.
June said: “I have really enjoyed my time working in the NHS in Worcestershire, it has been like a second home for me.
“Working within the nursing profession is hard but very rewarding work and I have met and worked with some fantastic people who have always been supportive and respectful to me.
“I have seen a lot of change in our Health Service over the last 45 years.
“But the thing that has remained the same is the kind and caring people – both those I have worked with and those I have looked after.
“The biggest change, apart from the advancements in technology, has probably been the improvement in equipment for handling patients – hoists and lifts make it all so much easier and more comfortable for the patient.
“Palliative care has also improved hugely and I think we are much better at allowing patients to make decisions about what they want to happen to them.”
In her early years as a health care assistant, June worked at the former Malvern Hospital on Landsend Crescent between 1977 and 1979 after the birth of her first child.
During her many years of service, she spent 26 years with the twilight district nurses who provide care for people during the evening.
While working for the district nurses, June had two more children and found the 7pm to midnight hours fitted in with her family life.
In 2006, after 35 years of working in the NHS, June returned to Malvern Hospital to work part-time and has been working in the new Community Hospital which is run by Worcestershire Health and Care NHS Trust.
Beryl Taylor, Macmillan clinical nurse specialist, who works with June at Malvern Community Hospital paid tribute to June’s dedicated service:
“June has been the most amazing and loyal team member who will be sorely missed by staff both as a colleague and friend plus all the patients who she has supported with the utmost care and compassion over the years,” she said.
“I would like to thank June for her dedication and hard work – I can’t think of anyone more deserving of their retirement.”
