A “dependable and dedicated” Walton Healthcare Assistant has celebrated her 35^th year of working at St Andrew’s Healthcare.  

Maria Clark was presented with her Long Service award by Clinical Director Muthusamy Natarajan and Service Director Gurikbal Singh last week. Ward Manager Abigail Thorogood was also on hand to congratulate her.

Gurikbal said: “This is a huge accomplishment and Maria should be really proud of herself. Thirty five years is a significant amount of time and many of our staff may not have even been born when Maria was staring her career with us.

“We would like to thank Maria for her commitment to the charity and to her patients. She is absolutely a valued staff member and we’re very proud to have her as part of our workforce.”

Muthusamy said: “We’re honoured to still have Maria with us. She’s a popular member of staff and her colleagues and patients think very much of her. Well done Maria.”

Maria, who was unable to attend the Charity’s most recent Long Service event, said: “It definitely doesn’t feel like 35 years. It feels like only yesterday when I started out, but I never thought that I would still be here.

“I’ve seen a lot of changes. When I first started staff would call senior managers “sir and madam”. I’ve met some lovely people along the way, both staff and patients, and although we’ve experienced some challenging times, I have loved my St Andrew’s journey.”

Abigail added: “Maria is a very valued member of staff. She’s dependable and dedicated and we appreciate her so much. Nothing is too much trouble and she really cares about the patients and her colleagues. Congratulations Maria.”