Addenbrooke’s says ‘thank you’…for 5,543 years of service

Addenbrooke’s Hospital has said ‘thank you’ to 314 valued members of staff who have clocked up a total of 5,543 years of service between them.

At a special ceremony to take place tomorrow (Wednesday 1 November), staff who have either reached the milestone of 10 or 20 years’ service, or who are retiring, will be recognised at the hospital’s ‘Long Service’ awards.

Olwyn Mullet, who worked at the hospital for 42 years as a biomedical scientist before retiring this year, is one of the longest-serving members of staff. She said: “The way things have changed most is the amount of automation in the labs - when I first started pretty much everything was done by hand.” Olwyn’s plans for her retirement include travelling. “I’m about to go and spend three months in the Canaries, then we’re going to Australia, where we hope to live if everything goes to plan,” she said.

Goods-in Supervisor Roy Mowl is also retiring this year after 43 years in the health service, 22 of those spent at Addenbrooke’s. Speaking about the changes he had seen over the years, Roy said: “When I first started in the health service there was nothing like the disposal medical products we have today. Syringes were mainly made of glass and stainless steel and had to be sterilised, and hypodermic needles had to be sharpened.” Roy’s career saw him working at Newmarket General Hospital, Fulbourn Hospital and then on to Addenbrooke’s. Now that he has more time on his hands, he hopes to enjoy DIY, gardening and travelling.

Paying tribute to staff, Gareth Goodier, Chief Executive, said: “The awards acknowledge the hard work and dedication of our staff. We are all very grateful for their contribution.”