Health hero bows out after half-a-century of service

A South Tyneside health hero is ready to sail off into the sunset '“ after more than half a century of sterling service.
Maureen Hart retires after 53 years for the NHSMaureen Hart retires after 53 years for the NHS
Maureen Hart retires after 53 years for the NHS

Devoted Maureen Hart has clocked off for the final time after supporting health services in the borough for 53 years.

Mrs Hart began her medical career at the age of just 17 as a lab typist based at the former Ingham Infirmary, South Shields, in 1963.

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The 71-year-old went on to work as a medical secretary – and played a key role in the move to South Tyneside District Hospital in 1990.

Mrs Hart was named a NHS Health Hero as part of the service’s 60th anniversary celebrations for her tireless efforts to support colleagues through the Staff Benefit Association.

The hard-working gran, who has been married to Bill, also 71, for 52 years, has enjoyed a long goodbye as colleagues have organised a number of leaving parties for her to savour.

But she is now hoping to expand her horizons as she packs her bags for a cruise to the Mediterranean, before jetting off to New York and visiting the South of France.

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Mrs Hart, from Mitford Road, South Shields, said: “I have had a great time and have always really enjoyed my job. I must have had about half a dozen leaving dos in the last couple of weeks.”

Mrs Hart has embraced a raft of changes and technological advancements since she first laid her fingers on a typewriter in the 1960s.

She added; “When I started there was just typewriters, no computers. The change to computers has been a great thing.”

Mrs Hart says she has a host of happy memories from her decades serving the NHS – but is eager to spend more time with her family and see more of the world.