'Working 50 years in the NHS has been a privilege'

A nurse has said working for the NHS has been the "absolute pleasure of my life" as she celebrates 50 years in the service.

Kate Turner, 67, from Stanton, Suffolk, started as a cadet nurse at the age of 17 in the old West Suffolk Hospital in Hospital Road, Bury St Edmunds.

She has worked in a number of roles within the hospital and currently works as a rehabilitation sister.

She made the decision to retire at the end of April and was awarded a glass trophy to mark her 50 years.

Ms Turner left school at the age of 15 with no qualifications and had a number of jobs including at the former Danepak bacon factory in Thetford as well as a chambermaid at the Bell Hotel also in Thetford.

However, she said while there she came to "a realisation" and questioned what she was doing.

"I phoned the 'old' hospital and said I would like to be a nurse," she said.

"I was called in by the deputy matron Miss Armstrong to take an exam.

"I passed and started - as I was only 17-years-old, I did one year as a cadet, the following year I started training to be a state enrolled nurse."

Ms Turner moved to the new West Suffolk Hospital when it opened at Hardwick Lane in 1972 and worked in various wards.

"I always wanted to be a nurse, and it is an honour for me to have cared for our patients," she added.

"I have had a long and very varied career, working with marvellous people, it has been the absolute pleasure of my life."

West Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust chief executive, Dr Ewen Cameron, presented Ms Turner with her trophy.

He told her: "What has struck me has been the longevity and breadth of your career, in the hospital and community, across so many areas and finally the years in cardiac rehab.

"Over that time, you have impacted the lives of thousands of patients. This is a small token of our appreciation – thank you."

Executive chief nurse, Sue Wilkinson, described Ms Turner as a "true inspiration", words that were echoed by her cardiac team colleagues.