In the first in a series focussing on families in the NHS, we followed the story of mother and daughter Rachel and Sue Mincher from Hartlepool.
Sue joined North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust in 2008 in the pre-assessment unit at the University Hospital of Hartlepool.
Sue, who is a receptionist in the unit, said: “I was looking for a permanent part-time role after being made redundant.
“We are both proud NHS employees, it means a lot to us both.
“We do pick each other’s brains if there’s something we don’t know regarding non-patient matters.
“The staff are great, I get along with everyone. We are all small cogs in this big wheel and we always do our best for our patients.”
Proud to work in NHS
Rachel joined the trust five years after her mam after being made aware of a vacancy.
Rachel, who works in admin in the patient safety and quality team from the University Hospital of North Tees, said: “I wanted to join an organisation that I was proud to be part of. I was successful in the interview and started work doing some similar shifts alongside my mam whilst still training.
“When being on shift together, the rest of the team were supportive and didn’t treat us as mother and daughter but just as normal colleagues.
“Whilst mam has remained in her role, I have moved around the Trust a couple of times whilst gaining experience in different care groups, all a wealth of knowledge that I use every day.
“It has become a bit of a running joke that I know someone in most departments and my current team refer to me as their phone directory! I am proud to say we both work here, albeit in different roles but for the same care group and for the same purpose – we just want the best outcome for the patients.
“Our roles have crossed paths at times and I have had to direct a task or two to my mam, she is experienced and very capable and I know the work would be returned as per the brief, no matter how small the task.
“We both enjoy our roles and are glad to be part of the team we work with as our colleagues are compassionate, helpful and approachable.
“Both of us have always wanted to help people, families such as our own and people in our local community.”
Find out more about how to start a career at North Tees and Hartlepool.