Publish date: 30 June 2021
As the NHS marks its 73rd birthday on Monday 5th July, a mental health nurse who has been supporting people with serious mental illness for almost 50 years is sharing why she continues to work for the NHS.
Jane Palmer, who started
work as a mental health nurse in 1974 at the Roundway Hospital in Devizes, said: "I have worked for the NHS for 47 years and from the day I started, I have never looked back. I have seen many changes to the care we provide to our patients and service users, even more so during the COVID-19 pandemic. All our staff are hugely committed to ensuring people get the help and support they need and it's their dedication to this work that makes the NHS a fantastic place to work. Happy birthday NHS!"
Upon completing her training Jane went to work in Swindon - initially at Stratton Hospital on an elderly care ward - before moving to Seymour Clinic, and then on to a community-based role. After several years, during which the team moved to the Old Victoria Hospital, Jane went to work in a new team in Marlborough and then on to Devizes.
She retired from full-time work in 2013 but returned to work part time in Chippenham, before taking up her current role in the Primary Care Liaison Service (PCLS) in Swindon, as a specialist nurse in older adults care.
Jane continued: "I love working in the NHS so much that when I retired, I decided to come back and continue helping people. Working in mental health provides a wide and varied career. I have thoroughly enjoyed my 47 years so far and I would urge anyone thinking about a career in mental health to find out more about the types of roles available."
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Avon and Wiltshire Mental Health Partnership (AWP) NHS Trust significantly changed the way it worked in order to continue to keep services running. Wards were reconfigured to allow for social distancing, staff adopted new working procedures and are wearing enhanced personal protective equipment, staff who were able to work at home were asked to do so, and online appointments were introduced for patients and service users.
Dominic Hardisty, Chief Executive at Avon and Wiltshire Mental Health Partnership (AWP) NHS Trust, said: "Any patient or their family will tell you that it's the staff who make the NHS what it is. Without the amazing dedication of people like Jane, we would not have been able to achieve all that we have over the incredibly tough last 12 months. I'd like to thank Jane for her hard work and to congratulate her on her 47 years of service."
To find out more about working for Avon and Wiltshire Mental Health Partnership (AWP) NHS Trust, please visit http://jobs.awp.nhs.uk/
