Head of Nursing retires after 28 years

23 August 2017

A senior nurse at the Trust which runs Shropshire’s two acute hospitals is to retire at the end of August.

Louise Gill, Scheduled Care Head of Nursing, is leaving on 31 August 2017 after 28 years at The Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital NHS Trust (SaTH), and more than 39 years in the NHS.

Louise joined SaTH, which runs the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital (RSH) and the Princess Royal Hospital (PRH) in Telford, as an ITU Sister in 1989.

Louise, who is from Broseley, said: “Nursing has been my absolute passion, and I could not have picked anything better to do as a career.

“It has been an absolute privilege to work for the NHS, and I have worked with some wonderful people along the way. For me, it has been about being proud to care, and wanting to do the right thing both for the staff, and the patients. It has been like being part of a big family, and I take with me some wonderful memories.”

Simon Wright, Chief Executive of SaTH, said: “Louise has done a fantastic job, and we are so lucky to have had her in our organisation for so many years. She has worked incredibly hard throughout her career with us, and is respected by all of her colleagues.

“I would like to thank Louise for everything she has done for SaTH and to take this opportunity to wish her all the very best in her retirement.”

Louise began her career as a student nurse in 1978 at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham. She then moved to Dudley Road and Sandwell Hospitals, where she worked in intensive care, before she joined the ITU unit at the PRH when the hospital opened in 1989. Louise then progressed to Matron and Lead Nurse, before being appointed the Scheduled Care Head of Nursing for SaTH in 2013.

Colleagues paid tribute to Louise at a farewell buffet at RSH. Louise is planning a holiday to Italy when she retires.