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Much loved member of staff retires after 37 years loyal NHS service

01 March 2017

Maureen Fortier, PA/Coordinator in the Anaesthetic Department, is embarking on a new journey as she has retired from Chelsea and Westminster NHS Foundation Trust after 37 years.

Maureen Fortier, PA/Coordinator in the Anaesthetic Department, embarked on a new journey as she retired from Chelsea and Westminster Hospital NHS Foundation Trust after 37 years.

Maureen joined the department on the 1 February 1980 when it was cited in the old St Stephen’s Hospital.  When St Stephen’s closed in 1990, she moved to the old Westminster Hospital and worked there until Chelsea and Westminster Hospital opened in 1993.  All of Maureen’s 37 years in the NHS has been in the field of anaesthetics.

Maureen told us: “I have loved working at all three hospitals, but Chelsea and Westminster is particularly special. It was like coming ‘home’ as the hospital is on the old site of St Stephen’s. I have made many friends over years and I didn’t realise how many doctors I really knew until the e-mails started to arrive over the past couple of weeks wishing me the very best for my retirement.

“I have always tried to do my best for the anaesthetic department.  It is a very busy department covering over 164 operating lists per week and a range of specialities including obstetrics, burns, endoscopy, etc. The part I have always enjoyed the most is organising the staff rota and ensuring we have cover for all the planned operations.  I have made a great many friends over the years and Chelsea is a brilliant hospital.

“I have lost count of the number of trainee doctors who have come through our department, but I still get e-mails from them years on when they have obtained consultant posts, got married, had a family.  Some of our consultants were just trainees when we met and it is lovely to see how they have progressed.

Maureen recalls the care and attention taken with carbon paper and her typewriter in the early days to avoid any mistakes! Although technology has advanced, as has medicine and anaesthetics, it is this care and attention applied that is still valued by her colleagues.

Jackie Durbridge, Consultant Obstetric Anaesthetist, said: “Maureen has been the constant in a changing environment. Organising our department day to day as well as the Christmas party for many years, she is part of the fixtures and fittings and will be much missed.”

Anaesthetics will be looking for a new Christmas party organiser for this year as Maureen hands over the baton! We wish Maureen all the very best in retirement and thank her for her dedication and service.

 

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