An A&E staff nurse from Hartlepool is today saying her goodbyes as she retires after five decades working in health care in the North East.
68-year-old Sue Pounder began her career in nursing in Newcastle in 1972, aged just 17.
After working in a number of hospitals around the region, Sue made the move to Hartlepool in 2003 to begin her job with the Trust.
Sue worked at the University Hospital of Hartlepool for eight years before relocating to the University Hospital of North Tees in the emergency department. Now, almost 20 years after joining the Trust, she is saying farewell to her ‘family’ of colleagues.
Sue said: “I’ve loved the job – this has been my life for the past 50 years.
“I’m going to miss everyone. All these people have been family to me.
“There were people who were just starting out in their career when I started here. And I’ve watched them throughout their journey to where they are now.
“I’ve watched them get married and have families – we’ve all grown up together.”
Now that she is retired, Sue is looking forward to spending time with her family and simply relaxing.
Sue laughed: “There’s a lot I’ll miss but I’m certainly not going to miss getting up at quarter past five in the morning every day. That’ll take some getting used to.”
Her colleagues in the emergency department bid an emotional farewell to Sue as she retires, spoiling her with cards, gifts and moving words.
Sue will be a much missed presence in the North Tees emergency department and will be missed by her colleagues.
