Nurses don't want to leave Liverpool Heart and Chest Hospital

5 specialist Nurses who clocked up a total of 189 years before retiring have returned to work at Liverpool Heart and Chest Hospital NHS Foundation Trust as they love it so much. The 5 are:- Alison Hulme, Sue Oakes, Valerie Wallace, Lynn Trayer-Dowell and Janice Dunne. The last year has been tough for them all; especially for Lynn Trayer Dowell; as a specialist Nurse in infection prevention and control she has been in the forefront of the trust's response to Covid19, helping to protect both patients and staff.

Lynn said:- "When the Pandemic started it was like a big explosion; there was a massive amount for us to do; the Infection Prevention Team is a constant source of support and information for staff, patients and relatives. The team is often the 1st port of call for advice with regards to anything Covid related. I have been part of different teams in the trust and had several different roles, all of which I have enjoyed immensely and I have made lifelong friends. I love working here, we have a great team and we support each other. The past year has been hard but rewarding work, I'm not ready to retire as I enjoy my job and now working part time has allowed me to spend time with my family."

Alison Hulme retired at the same time as Lynn, having started as a student Nurse in 1984 at the old Walton Hospital, aged 19. She qualified slightly later than her peers after a back injury meant she was off work for 4 months. "All I could think about was, what if that was the end of my career as a Nurse before it had even started! Nursing was all I wanted to do. Thankfully I made a full recovery and went on to complete my training. It was the best time of my life!"

Alison worked in different areas of Aintree University Hospital for 25 years before joining Liverpool Heart and Chest Hospital in 2009 as a Critical Care Outreach Nurse. She has now returned in a part time role and has said:- "I wanted to return to work as I love my job and have been lucky enough to come back to work 2 long days a week. I am in a fantastic team with like minded professionals who all work so well together. It is a lovely place to work with a great ethos and there is always so much support from all grades of staff."

Sue Oakes started her Nurse training in 1981 and after qualifying worked in cardiology at Liverpool Heart and Chest Hospital for many years. She was always drawn to the most critically ill patients and moved to work in palliative care at Aintree University Hospital for eight years, before returning to Liverpool Heart and Chest Hospital as Palliative Clinical Nurse Specialist team leader and then becoming the End of Life' and Bereavement Lead Nurse for the Trust. Sue Oakes added:- "I love my job; caring for someone who is dying and supporting their family is so important, you only get 1 chance to get it right and it is very rewarding. There are 2 of us in our team and we are both passionate about our work; the hours can be long when supporting a family, but we are prepared to go above and beyond for our families if needed; I'm not ready to stop, I want to carry on."

Janice Dunne is a Cystic Fibrosis Nurse Specialist who has worked at Liverpool Heart and Chest Hospital ever since qualifying in 1987. Janice told us that:- "I have never wanted to work anywhere else; I progressed at a young age, I was a junior ward sister aged 24 and a ward manager at 26 and always worked with patients with cystic fibrosis, looking after them from when they came over from Alder Hey or other Paediatric Hospitals. I wanted to continue working with cystic fibrosis patients; they are with us for life and we get to know them well. In the last year there has been a new drug treatment which has made a big difference and it has been great to see the improvement it's caused. I love my job and the people I work with, it is a very friendly Hospital. I will return part time when I retire in March, so I will be able to spend more time caring for my mum and my 101 year old auntie, as well as spending more time with my husband and sons and going on more family holidays, when we are allowed."

Valerie Wallace, 55, decided she was too young to retire when the time came last November after 36 years in nursing; she has also returned to work part time, as a Transfusion Practitioner. Valerie also commented:- "I came over from Ireland to start training in 1985 at what was then called South Sefton School of Nursing based at the old Walton and Fazakerley Hospitals, where I went on to work in surgical wards for 6 years. I then spent 6 years working for the National Blood Service and joined Liverpool Heart and Chest Hospital in 2001 as a specialist in blood transfusions. I've been here ever since and don't want to leave. The last year with Covid has been hard; I haven't seen my mum and family in Ireland for a year, but I'm not ready to retire, I love my job and it's a very friendly place to work with very supportive colleagues."

LIVERPOOL 1 has appointed a new Estate Director, Iain Finlayson. Iain, an internal appointment, who previously held the position of Business Performance Director, takes his position immediately. The appointment comes as the retail and leisure destination puts a new strategic plan into place as it faces 1 of the most challenging times in its history. The plan is designed to ensure Liverpool 1 can build a new decade of success as the country emerges from the Coronavirus Pandemic. Iain has worked at Liverpool 1 for 5 years and has a wealth of experience in the retail sector, previously holding positions at Ikea and Blackwell's Bookshop.

Alison Clegg, Grosvenor Asset Management Director, said:- "We received a number of strong applications and following an extensive interview process we are delighted to announce the appointment of Iain. He has developed a wealth of knowledge at Liverpool 1 and will play a key role in driving Liverpool 1 forward to ensure we build a successful future. He understands the challenges we face and we believe there is no better person to bring us through these difficult times."

Since the Pandemic began, Iain has worked closely with Donna Howitt, long established Director of Marketing and Communications, ensuring Liverpool 1 responds appropriately to the Pandemic and maintains a close alignment with the wider City. The pair, together with Liverpool ONE's wider leadership team, have plans in place to ensure Liverpool 1 maintains the strength shown through the most turbulent times.

His appointment signals a change in the way Liverpool 1 will be run, with Donna taking on a lead role of Place Strategy Director. Having worked for Liverpool 1 for almost 14 years, during which time Liverpool 1 has enjoyed year on year growth, Donna will continue to drive Liverpool 1 forward, working closely with the City Region's Visitor Economy Board and other strategic partners.

Meanwhile, interviews are currently underway to appoint a new Facilities Director.

Iain said:- "I am pleased to have been appointed Estate Director at this very challenging time. There is no doubt we now face, as indeed the rest of the country does, great challenges not experienced before but I am confident we will emerge strongly. Liverpool is a fantastic City to work in and I cannot think of a role I would rather be in right now. I have a strong team around me and collectively we will ensure we respond to the changes and challenges around us. I am confident we will continue to thrive and look forward to a bright future ahead."