Meet the Aintree Hospital nurses who have stuck together for 25 years

Three nurses from Aintree University Hospital have been recognised for their service to the NHS, having qualified together 25 years ago.

Dawn Jamieson, Colette Wright and Elizabeth Kenny all trained together at Aintree and qualified together in 1994. Remarkably, they have remained side by side ever since, caring for Merseyside and Cheshire’s sick and injured.

Dawn, 56, from Bootle, Colette, 48, from Kirkby and Elizabeth, 46, from Orrell Park were among 21 staff celebrated at Aintree’s Long Service Awards, which recognises the dedication of staff who have spent 25 and 40 years in the NHS.

The trio were one of the first groups of nurses in the country to receive training at a university. Rather than simply learning their trade on the hospital ward as was the norm in the NHS for 42 years, Dawn, Colette and Elizabeth learnt about the theory behind treatments, helping them achieve and deliver the best possible care to their patients.

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Dawn, who is now a Clinical Nurse Manager, said: “The NHS is amazing, it’s unlike any other organisation in the world and the people who keep it running are a special breed. Their selflessness and passion has saved so many lives and kept hundreds of families and relationships intact. It is a privilege to work alongside these incredible people at Aintree and I hope to do so for many years to come.”

Colette Wright, Acting Ward Manager, said: “It doesn’t seem that long ago I was running round the wards, trying to get my bearings and impress senior staff. Times have changed, but my love for this place has not. Aintree is like one big family and I couldn’t imagine spending 25 years anywhere else.”

Aintree’s Chief Executive, Steve Warburton, who himself received a long service trophy, said: “It was a privilege to receive my award alongside so many dedicated and passionate people. Collectively the room had 585 years’ experience of caring for our communities sick and injured. Dawn, Colette and Elizabeth story is a fascinating one. To work for one organisation and one department for such a long period of time is certainly award worthy. I’d imagine from day one of stepping foot into Aintree, they made a huge impact and continue to do so, improving the care we provide to our patients.”

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