Celebrations were held at Wrightington, Wigan and Leigh Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust (WWL) as School Nurse, Norma Newcombe, celebrated her 80th birthday.
After becoming a nurse 60 years ago, Norma has worked within the WWL family for over 40 years and remains just as committed to her profession today, working five days a week at Hindley Clinic – the place where she began working in her local community in 1973 after completing her training in Liverpool.
Norma spoke recently on her time here at WWL, the dedication she has to serving her local community, and paid tribute to her colleagues.
Norma said: “I’m just a School Nurse who does the job.
“I’m proud to be where I am and I’m very passionate about the local area and everything related with Hindley and School Nursing.
“We have brilliant team leaders and I work with a brilliant team of school nurses and health visitors and I’m just happy as I am and where I am.”
Rabina Tindale, Chief Nurse at WWL paid tribute to Norma saying: “We are immensely proud to have Norma as part of the WWL team and access to her significant experience and wisdom, we hope she had an amazing day celebrating her birthday with her colleagues”
“Norma’s commitment to her profession over so many years is astonishing, and we wish her all the best as she continues to care for the school-age population in the Hindley area.”
Her colleagues marked the occasion with a surprise party at Hindley Health Centre, where Norma reminisced about her time working at the Trust.
Amongst the many stories she told to friends and colleagues, she spoke with great pride about the relationships she had built up with the children and families in the local community throughout the years.
Sharon Swift, Community Public Health Specialist Practitioner at Hindley Clinic also spoke with pride about Norma’s incredible work in the area.
Sharon said: “All the children and their families know Norma as she has been the school nurse for at least three generations.
“The schools have a great respect for Norma and her experience, this assists her in her important role of health promotion and the safeguarding of children.
“Norma is always happy and chatty in the team and has completed some great work with families within the 0-19 team”.
Norma’s colleagues all have a tremendous amount of respect for her and her work and commitment and Zoe Corday-Taylor, School Nurse at Hindley Town Hall shared her own experiences of working alongside her.
Zoe commented: “I have been lucky enough to work with Norma for the past 11 years. She holds a very special place in the hearts of the children and families that she has helped over the years.
“She never forgets a face or name and is now caring for the grandchildren of the children that she used to look after!
“Norma is a very special part of our School Nursing family and is loved by all of the team for her heart of gold and her dedication to the school age population of Wigan.”
Norma is all set to start her 49th school year working within WWL this September.
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