Guy’s and St Thomas’ staff celebrate 725 years of dedicated service

There are 29 staff at Guy's and St Thomas' who received Long Service Awards for their commitment to the Trust, and the NHS.

Staff receiving recognition have worked for the NHS for a minimum of 25 years each, and have collectively clocked up 725 years of service.

The ceremony, which is funded by Guy’s & St Thomas’ Charity, was attended by staff covering a range of roles including nurses and midwives, switchboard operators, housekeepers, physicists, researchers and consultants.

Sheila Hassan is a therapeutic radiographer who manages a small team who support patients with brain tumours at Guy’s Cancer Centre. Originally Sheila trained at the Trust gaining her diploma in 1978, but after a period of employment at another trust left the profession for 19 years. She said: “In those days it was normal for you to give up your career if you were going to have children.”

Sheila returned to radiography after seeing an advert highlighting a national shortage in the profession, eventually taking up a job at Guy’s Hospital in 1999. Within 3 years she was promoted several times and eventually achieved national recognition when elected as President of the Society and College of Radiographers in 2015.

Sheila, who is also a preacher in a Methodist church, said: “You’re supporting patients through some of the worst moments in their life. The interaction you have with them is so important, it can change their outlook on their journey. Because they remember you.

"The kind word. The thoughtfulness. Some patients have hundreds of appointments and they can be at hospital every day. So, if we can arrange for some of those appointments to be on the same day, just to cut out a hospital visit it makes so much difference to them.”

Renal nurse Glorietta Catipon joined the Trust in 1999 as a health care assistant. Encouraged to train to become a registered nurse Glorietta has had several roles during her 25 years of service.

She said: “A lot has changed in that time. But what has remained constant is my passion for patient care and the fulfilment that comes from making a real difference in people's lives.

“Knowing that dialysis extends patients’ lives and gives them more time with their loved ones is incredibly meaningful, and that’s what motivates me to keep going.”

Charles Alexander, Chairman of Guy’s and St Thomas’, attended the ceremony honouring staff.

He said: “I’m proud to honour our staff members who have dedicated 25 years of service, and in some cases more, to our Trust and the NHS. I congratulate them on their commitment over the years and thank them for their fantastic contribution.”