Staff share fond memories for hospital anniversary

A former nurse says she looks back at her career with "very fond memories" as a hospital celebrates its 150th anniversary.

Stroud General Hospital moved to its current site in 1875 and provides the surrounding area with inpatient and outpatient services, including a minor injuries and illness unit.

Wendy Phillips, who trained in the late 1960s, said while the hospital was now "indescribably different", it was a "lovely" and "friendly" place to work at.

It comes as former and current hospital employees come together to celebrate the milestone at a number of events, the first being a service at Holy Trinity Church in Stroud on Sunday.

Ms Phillips, who "thoroughly enjoyed her training" at the hospital, said it involved two years living at the site and described the "green and white striped dresses with white aprons" worn by the nurses.

"It [being a nurse] wasn't a chore, I enjoyed every minute of it and looking back now it is very fond memories," she added.

Paul Lazelle told BBC Radio Gloucestershire he started work as a porter at the hospital in 1975, shortly before the centenary celebrations.

"We did everything from delivering laundry to the wards, food as well, sorting post, sorting out taking deceased to the mortuary," he said.

"Pretty much everything that nobody else wanted to do was our job," he added.

He said he liked the job so much he became head porter in 1981, remaining in the role full-time for nearly 30 years and only fully giving it up around three years ago.

Even now, he volunteers one day a week in a shop run by Stroud Hospitals League of Friends, which supports the site with equipment.

Matron of Stroud and Vale Community Hospitals, Liz Lovett, said she was "really proud" of the hospital's "incredible service" and staff would be celebrating in a number of ways, including a picture competition with local schools.

"This is an opportunity to thank everyone who has made Stroud General Hospital what it is today," she added.

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