'Lovely send-off' for NHS cleaner after 57 years

A hospital cleaner who has retired from her role after 57 years has said she will "miss it a lot".

Pat Russell, 78, has worked across various wards at the Northern General Hospital in Sheffield since taking a part-time role in 1969, at the age of 21.

She said much had changed in the NHS since the 1960s, notably "a lot more buildings going up" and "more robots" involved in cleaning.

"I'd rather have a mop and bucket," she said.

Russell's late husband suffered from chronic asthma which reduced his ability to work, so she decided to apply for the role to help make up their income.

She had been working two days a week in recent years but previously worked full-time for 17 years across a number of different wards for the domestic services department.

Her favourite ward was maternity, she said, as she could "see the new babies, and it was just a pleasant atmosphere".

She said on her last shift on Thursday, she had a "lovely send-off" with a buffet, retirement cake and gifts from her colleagues.

It was a joint celebration with her friend and colleague, Betty, who had been working at the hospital for 48 years.

They were both moved to work on the corridors after the pandemic due to their older ages and decided to retire together.

"I could still do the job all right, I was capable of it, but we decided we were leaving," Russell said.

"I'm sure I will miss it for quite a while; miss the friends I've made."

She said she would use the extra time to meet friends out of work, and she had already been on a trip to Luxembourg with her friends before her final shift.

"I'm lucky that I'll be 79 in September and I am able to walk quickly and get around very well," she added.

Andrew Jones, facilities director at Sheffield Teaching Hospitals, said the trust was "very fortunate to have colleagues who stay with us for many years".

"Pat and Betty have been highly valued members of the team, providing a vital service to ensure high standards of hygiene and cleanliness in the hospital environment for patients and staff," he said.

"They have brought positivity and enthusiasm every day and selflessly passed on their wealth of knowledge to colleagues.

"We thank them both for their wonderful service and wish them the very best for their retirement. They are the embodiment of the values of the NHS."

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