Care Home Resident Tells Story of 40 Year Nursing Career in Honour of NHS 75th Anniversary

88-year-old Brenda Reed, who lives at Rivendell View care home in Stoke Bardolph, has been sharing her memories of working in the NHS for over 40 years in honour of the service’s 75th anniversary.

Brenda began training to be a nurse with the NHS at the age of 17 in 1951 at Nottingham General Hospital, three years after the service was founded.

Once qualified, Brenda became a theatre nurse, later moving to London in 1957 where she could attend in-depth lectures and learn new skills.

After a few years of working as a theatre nurse, Brenda made the decision to become a midwife at Guy’s Hospital, seeking a more ‘family orientated environment’. Brenda said,

‘I’m particularly proud of my work as a midwife, delivering the babies of a new generation. It felt very special to see how they developed, and watch midwifery evolve over the years.’

At the age of 26, Brenda returned to Nottingham to marry her childhood sweetheart, John, who she met in school, and start a family. While in Nottingham, Brenda continued her work as a midwife whilst also offering her skills as a district nurse before becoming a Night Sister at City Hospital in Nottingham.

Brenda continued, ‘I worked as a Night Sister covering five wards for about a year, because it was more convenient for my family life at the time.

After about a year, I decided to retrain as a health visitor for our local GP, covering vaccinations and visiting families in their own homes. I did that until I retired at 58 to take care of my own family.’

‘I really enjoyed working in the NHS, I think that the service they provide is second to none. As a nation, I feel we are very lucky to have access to this amazing service.’

To celebrate the NHS 75th Anniversary, the residents and staff at Rivendell View are throwing an NHS Big Tea Party to fundraise for NHS charities. All are welcome to come along from 10:00-12:00 for delicious, homemade refreshments.

To find out more, please call Rivendell View on 0115 666 9660, email Rivendell.view@idealcarehomes.co.uk or visit www.idealcarehomes.co.uk.

Rivendell View is a purpose-built, luxury residential and dementia care home operated by Ideal Carehomes, rated ‘GOOD’ by the CQC (Care Quality Commission). All 66 bedrooms are en-suite, enabling the home to deliver person-centred care in a dignified manner. Rivendell View was named a Top 20 Care Home in the East Midlands in the carehome.co.uk awards 2023.