News from Newham

‘After over 43 years of service to the NHS, with the last 17 years spent at Newham, the time has now come for me to bid a fond farewell to all those that I have met and worked with throughout this most satisfying period that has played a major part in my life. It has been a long journey and I have encountered and surmounted many challenges with the help of my colleagues, but in all it has been enjoyable. All the memories from my career will remain fondly embedded in my memory and will be a part of me into the future.’ 

Early beginnings 

‘I grew up in East Ham and studied at Brampton Manor school. The hospital at Newham even then played a part in my life where family members were served well by the hospital facility. My hospital life, all started in 1978, when I began my career at the Royal London and Mile End Hospitals as a craft apprentice which gave me a good grounding in hospital life and maintenance operations. In 1986, I took up a position at Newham Hospital as acting general maintenance supervisor and continued to broaden my knowledge and experience. On the strength of this, I took up an opportunity to become an estates officer at Hammersmith and Queen Charlotte Hospitals to further broaden my horizons. This then took me to Barnet and Chase Farm Hospitals with the role of estates services officer. 

‘This experience assisted my progression to become estates manager at the Royal London Hospital where I enjoyed meeting all of my new colleagues and relished the task ahead. During my time at the Royal London, I experienced and was involved in the unfortunate aftermath of the terrorist attacks in July 2005, affecting the London public transport system where more than 700 people were injured.194 of these casualties were presented to the hospital and in turn, the Royal London was designated as a primary receiving hospital. This was one of the sadder times of my career which still stays with me to this day and something I will never forget.’ 

Moving on up  

‘Moving forward to late 2005, I took up the position of estates operations manager at Newham Hospital where again, I was excited to meet new colleagues and for the new challenges that the came with the role, particularly with the capital developments taking place on site, namely, Gateway Surgical Centre, the closure of the St Andrews hospital and the relocation of the facility to Newham, forming the new St. Andrew’s Wing and Health Central. In addition to this were the Theatres, Maternity and ED upgrades and the continuing site improvements post the Trust merger. 

‘In my time at Newham, I have progressed further to become Senior Head of Estates where I also act as chair of the Barts Health Water Management Committee and have been active in the hospital’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic. This has been a unique yet challenging experience where myself and my team faced a steep learning curve and many tough situations along the way.  

‘Although we all successfully rose up to the challenges of the pandemic, this was a difficult period for many colleagues and I do hope that this is a situation that we never have to face again. Despite this demanding time, however, the hospital’s response to the pandemic was exemplary and I am so proud to have been part of it. Each and every one of us will need healthcare at some point in our lives and an access to the same high-quality healthcare provided by Barts Health which I am certain will be a lasting legacy and make a difference in all of our lives, for the generations to come’ 

A big thank you to dear friends and colleagues  

‘No day is the same when working at the hospital and this has been part of my enjoyment whilst being in the organisation. I have gained a wealth of knowledge and experience and am currently looking towards receiving the icing of the cake – my certificate of registration with the Engineering Council as a Chartered Engineer, for which I have just received notification of approval. My hospital experience has played an important role in reaching this big milestone, as well as the support of my colleagues. 

‘Whilst it pains me to bid my colleagues farewell, I sincerely wish them all continued success at Barts Health in all of their future endeavours. I would like to say a big thank you to all of my dear friends and colleagues within the organisation that have contributed to 43 amazing years in the NHS. From my early beginnings at the Royal London and Mile End hospitals, to joining the senior leadership team in estates and facilities at Newham Hospital, I count all of my years in the NHS as being really good years and a memory I will look back on with much happiness.’