THINGS have certainly changed since Penny McWade first entered the nursing industry in 1972.
Gone are the days when staff had to wear hats and thick woollen coats in the winter – and gone is the necessity to bake gauze dressings in a biscuit tin.
Reflecting on her years of service with Family Nursing and Home Care as she is about to enter semi-retirement, Ms McWade (60) said: ‘It has gone by so quickly and nursing has developed such a lot over the years.
‘When I started, there was no sterilising equipment so we used to have to boil things in people’s homes before we used them. We also had to bake swabs in biscuit tins and use glass syringes, and there were only 12 district nurses working. It was a different world!’
Ms McWade joined Family Nursing Services in 1972, when the district nursing team was based at Gloucester Lodge. After five years out of the industry to have a baby she returned in 1983 to work as a family staff nurse in the community, where she has been ever since.
Her contribution to the profession has been recognised by the acting chief executive officer of Family Nursing and Home Care, Pam Massey, who said: ‘Penny has been one of those truly dedicated, hard-working and loyal staff who has enjoyed every minute working as a staff nurse in the community.
‘She is a real team player and her skills as a nurse have been a tremendous asset to the organisation. Fortunately for us, Penny will not be leaving the organisation altogether, as she will be coming back to work part-time.’
Looking back on her time as a nurse Ms McWade said: ‘I have absolutely loved nursing. I’ve never once not wanted to go into work, so I feel very lucky. I’m looking forward to going part-time so that I have time to do more at home, and I am hoping to spend more time with my five-year-old granddaughter, as well as enjoy a bit more gardening, art and travelling.’
• Pictures: Above, Penny McWade has seen many innovations during her Family Nursing and Home Care career. Picture by Rob Currie (00615004); and below, Penny in July 1973 with Alice Cawley, who was celebrating her 102th birthday
