IN THE WEEK the NHS celebrates its 75th birthday, one Worcestershire family is reflecting back on four previous generations and six decades of dedication to care.
Gaynor Amphlett, who has worked in administration at Worcestershire Royal Hospital for 17 years follows in the footsteps of her mother, grandmother and grandfather who worked in a variety of roles across the NHS.
And with Gaynor’s daughter Kerry also at Worcestershire Royal as a Senior Sister in Theatre Care, the family NHS link looks to continue.
Gaynor’s nan, Ann Lewis worked as an Auxiliary Nurse at Gloucester Royal Hospital while her husband and Gaynor’s grandfather Frederick Lewis was Head Porter at the same hospital working past retirement to see the hospital through its move to a new tower block in the 1970s.
Both Ann and Frederick’s daughters also dedicated their working lives to the NHS with Gaynor’s mum Anita Lewis working as a hospital cleaner and Gaynor’s aunt Irene Lewis, becoming a Nurse.
Gaynor Amplett who provides administration support to the Audiology Department, said: “I am immensely proud that four generations of my family worked for the NHS. It’s a variety of roles which keep the service running and care wouldn’t be delivered without even one of them.
“My grandparents were born in South Wales and my mum Anita was born during the war so my family attachment to the NHS and to ensuring its survival is very strong.
“Not only are we passionate about its public service but the NHS has also been a great employer to all my family. There are always career opportunities and with the right skills, the NHS welcome you back after time away.
“All older generations of my family have passed away and my father’s passing was the most recent. It affected me quite a bit and my manager and the wider Trust were quick to recognise my mood and provide me with counselling, advice and wellbeing support which I was so grateful for.”
Gaynor’s daughter Kerry Collins who works as a Theatre Practitioner added: “I’ve worked different roles as other hospitals in the region but the pull of my friends and colleagues back at Worcestershire drew me back and I currently work back where I started all those years ago in Theatre.
“I am very proud to be part of the NHS and everything that it stands for. We are so lucky to have such a unique service that means that no matter how rich or poor you are, access to health will never be denied.
“Growing up around a family that had a caring for others mentality definitely moulded my personality and inspired me to take the route into the health profession. I remember as a child my mum telling me about my grandparents and great grandparents working in the hospital and seeing photos of them from their younger years. They gave me something to aspire to and were great leading examples.”
Visit www.worcsacute.nhs.uk/work-for-us for more.
