Chesterfield gran and well-known face at Royal Hospital to retire after 40 years' service in the NHS

Much has changed since Bridget Dunks, 74, began her time in the health service with a job in the kitchens at Walton Hospital – but she said working for the organisation has made her the person she is today.

Bridget will retire from her current job as Unison lead convenor at Chesterfield Royal Hospital on February 26 and admits the coronavirus pandemic has made the past year one of the most difficult of her career.

"This last year is just a blur for everyone," she said.

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"The NHS has had to pull out all the stops during some very sad times for lots of people.”

Bridget, who has lived in Hasland for the past 30 years and before that in Boythorpe, has three daughters, Kaye, Rachel and Lisa, and four grandsons, Daniel, Harry, Thomas and Jordan.

After starting in her first NHS job at Walton Hospital in 1981, Bridget moved on to the new Chesterfield and North Derbyshire Hospital on its completion.

Bridget then took a position on the wards as a relief receptionist and remembers this as a special time in her career.

“I then got a post working in Holywell ward,” she said.

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"It was many different types of patients from Pain Clinic and Haematology Day Care. I found it special working in that environment. To this day I am still in contact with patients from those clinics.

"The Pain Clinic moved to its own home and I moved down there as a receptionist.”

Bridget was also able to go to college and gained a distinction in massage and Reiki, which she was allowed to use on patients and staff.

"Pain Clinic was on the move again so I moved on to become health care assistant on Robinson Ward (Orthopaedic).

"I worked on that wonderful ward for about 14 years until I had a stroke, and my world fell apart.”

After her recovery, Bridget was then asked by HR managers to do some union work for the trust.

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She said: "I have done this for some years now helping and sign posting staff. It has been an absolute pleasure to help staff but also to have met some wonderful people who I now class as special friends.”

In 2017, Chesterfield Royal Hospital NHS Foundation Trust featured Bridget in a staff profile which celebrated her ‘no-nonsense approach’ when dealing with staff across the hospital and board directors.

"The NHS has changed considerably and in some things not for the better,” Bridget said.

“I miss the feeling of being a family as there was always someone you could go to. I understand change happens but for me I expect 110 per cent from all staff.

“I look back on my 40 years and I would not change anything. It has made me the person I am today with some special and wonderful friends.”

She is now looking forward to spending more time on her allotment, on volunteering work and with her friends and family.

In these confusing and worrying times, local journalism is more vital than ever. Thanks to everyone who helps us ask the questions that matter by taking out a subscription or buying a paper. We stand together. Nancy Fielder, editor.