This week, the trust has been saying a huge thank you to the dedicated employees receiving this year’s long service awards.

Each year, these awards recognise the commitment and dedication of staff who have been at the Royal Free London (RFL) for 25 or 40 years. 

Caroline Clarke, group chief executive and Debbie Sanders, chief executive for Barnet Hospital, visited Jayne Hodgson, a senior sister, who has received a long service award to mark 40 years with the RFL.

Accompanied by members of her team from AEC/TREAT unit at Barnet Hospital, Jayne received a letter with personalised messages of thanks from colleagues and a gift card alongside her certificate.

Presenting the award Caroline said: “So few people achieve such a length of service and make such a difference. Frailty care is the future of medicine and you are working on the edge of what we all want to be doing.”

Jayne’s colleagues describe her as the epitome of a caring, compassionate nurse and supportive colleague. One colleague said: “Over the years Jayne has mentored many students and newly qualified nurses, many of whom remain working for the Royal Free London today. In her various nursing roles throughout her career, she has always gone that extra step to ensure that her patients receive the best of care.” Another colleague at the presentation commented: “You are a fantastic nurse and human being.”

Jayne said: “This has come as a complete but lovely surprise - I think you can tell by my happy tears. I’m going to get my certificate framed. This means a lot to me - I’m proud of the work I do and the team are like my second family.”

Zipho Yengwa, a staff nurse on Galaxy ward at Barnet Hospital, was also celebrating her 40 years at the trust. 

Zipho, also known as Zoe to her colleagues, was described by her team as a supportive member of staff whose positive attitude is an asset to the people she works alongside. Colleagues say Zoe is particularly proud of her work in caring for children with life limiting and chronic illnesses, as well as supporting their families.

For those celebrating 25 years of service (see below), a certificate and personal letter is also on the way from Caroline, including messages of thanks and support from managers and colleagues.

David Rock, clinical site manager; Emma Brooks, advanced clinical practitioner and clinical specialist; Julie Flannigan, physiotherapist; Melissa Dobson, charge nurse; Nicholas Garlick, consultant; Mandy Lovett, nursery nurse; Rowena Chilton, deputy head of midwifery; Rosemary Hammond, labour ward coordinator and team leader; Caron Phillips, midwife; Valret Heaven, midwife ; Seema Ramroop, midwife; Lorraine Wallace, pre-op assessment administrator; Richard Gray, maintenance craftsman; Syed Iliyas, support worker; Nigel Duncan, deputy finance manager; Suparna Bali, principal pharmacist; Kelly Hopwood, chief pharmacy technician; Andrea Thompson, technical services administrative assistant ; Donna Henry, medical secretary; Debra Jones, senior lead patient administrator; Daryll Baker, consultant; Daniela Tagliarini, patient testing centre coordinator; Rebecca Longmate, director of nursing; Monica Fender, site manager; John Paul Dilworth, consultant; Gareth Murcutt, medical technical officer; Catherine O’Malley, clinical nurse specialist; Alison Turvey, living donor coordinator; Tabassam Leslie, consultant dermatologist; Avril Marianayagam, senior sister; Khawar Jaffar, speciality doctor; Antonia Okafor, admin and clerical officer; Sonia Rotolini, personal assistant; Dawn Winter, personal assistant; Elizabeth Anaman, ward administrator; Gina Abbe, junior sister and charge nurse; Anne Jackson, consultant; Esther Mensah, support worker; Daniel O’Sullivan, IT server engineer; Sheila Johnston, clinical nurse specialist.

Image: Jayne Hodgson receiving her long service award from Caroline Clarke