Nurse volunteers for QA Hospital after 40-year career at trust

The former nurse spent all her working life at the Cosham hospital rising to the rank of matron in haematology and oncology.

Despite retiring three years ago, Brenda didn’t stay away from QA for long, and is now working for the Patient Advice and Liaison Service.

The small group provides an essential service helping patients, relatives and visitors with a solution to any problems that might occur at the Cosham hospital.

Brenda, from Southwick, said: ‘I really feel that my long nursing career at QA has been invaluable in the work which I do now.

‘I have seen a lot of different, difficult situations, and that range of experience really helps when dealing with the different calls which we get here in Pals.

‘I loved volunteering and love working for Pals – it’s a great way to keep mentally active, and I enjoy working as part of a team.’

Brenda joined the trust while training as a junior nurse in the early 1970s, and worked on a huge number of initiatives during her varied career, including helping to develop a stand-alone haematology unit.

In addition to volunteering, Brenda, who is married with three grown-up kids and seven grandchildren also finds time to spend time knitting, gardening and seeing her family.