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Afternoon Tea

NHS Lanarkshire's 60th anniversary tea for retired staff members proved to be a huge success.

Almost 5000 years of service to the NHS came under the one roof when around 160 former employees attended the special tea to commemorate the NHS’s diamond anniversary.

It was organised to thank former staff for their part in helping the NHS reach its 60th anniversary and took place in the Hilton Hotel in Strathclyde Business Park on Wednesday, July 30.

Many of those who attended had given 20, 30, 40 or more years service to the organisation and they were welcomed by NHS Lanarkshire Chief Executive Tim Davison, Board Chair Ken Corsar and Employee Director Hugh Sweeney.

All three paid tribute to the retired staff saying their past efforts had helped to shape today’s NHS.

Tim Davison said: “To have five millennia of NHS service in the one room is quite an achievement.

“It graphically illustrates the depth of experience and commitment which goes into the NHS in Lanarkshire.

“When you total up their years of service, it also helps to explain why the NHS has thrived and grown under their stewardship.”

Employee Director and organiser of NHS Lanarkshire’s 60th anniversary celebrations, Hugh Sweeney, echoed these sentiments.

He added: “When it came to planning events for this NHS diamond year, everyone agreed that former staff should be included in the celebrations.

“Over the past six decades it is these people and others who have been impeccable custodians of the NHS helping it to reach this landmark in good health.”

Reactions from some of those who attended summed up the success of the event.

Former Hairmyres Hospital medical secretary Anne Ellis from Carnoustie Crescent in East Kilbride said: “I really enjoyed the day. The food was lovely and it was nice to get the chance to see so many old pictures and records.”

Evelyn Hastings, a former Director of Lanarkshire Health Board, said: “It was a fantastic, well organised day and catching up with some former colleagues and friends was wonderful.”