NHS 75! Sarah’s life-long career: celebrating 30 years in the NHS

Today is an extra special day for our Ward 6 Ward Clerk Sarah Young, as she is celebrating an incredible 30 years at Sheffield Children’s on the same day our NHS is celebrating 75 years!

When she was younger Sarah never thought that she’d work for the NHS, but 30 years later she can’t imagine doing anything else. Sarah started out at Sheffield Children’s Hospital 30 years ago. She worked on Ward 10 (now Theatre Admissions Unit!) for five years until moving to Ward 6, our oncology and haematology ward, where she has been for the last 25 years.

Sarah’s different experiences over the last 30 years have seen her go above and beyond in her role and she always rises to the occasion, whether it’s supporting colleagues as a union representative, meticulously organising important notes, ordering prescription wigs for patients, presenting at national conferences, and even making a wedding happen for a family on Ward 6!

Sarah said: “When I arrived on my first day in 1993 I came in expecting to go to the ward but two nurses came to meet me and they taught me everything about washing your hands, writing notes, infection control and lots more. I had three days to take it all in before I was allowed on ward and then the following six months was like trying to drive a car for the first time! At first I didn’t think I’d stay longer than my original six month contract but I seemed like a really good fit and all of a sudden it was like I had found what I was meant to do.”

Sarah’s colleagues fondly refer to her as an “oracle who knows everything” and one of those colleagues is Jane Cuffling, a staff nurse in ophthalmology. Jane has known Sarah throughout her life-long career with us as she managed one of the medical wards Sarah worked on when she first started at Sheffield Children’s.

Jane has lots of memories with Sarah and said: “Sarah and I used to stand at the bus stop and one time we were laughing so much someone stopped us and said they’d been feeling miserable and the sight of us laughing had cheered them up. You can always rely on Sarah’s incredible sense of humour and you can always rely on her as a colleague and friend. Sarah makes herself available for anyone who needs her and she never turns anyone away. Sheffield Children’s, and Ward 6, are very lucky to have someone of Sarah’s calibre. She has an incredible rapport with patients and staff and is a gem of a resource –  thank you for everything.”

Those who know Sarah well won’t be surprised to hear that when we asked her about what she enjoys most about her role she instantly replied: “When Sheffield United come and visit us!” As a huge Blades fan, Christmas is always an extra special time for Sarah, and Sarah has recently been awarded the Sheffield United Communities Woman of the Year accolade – one to add next to her Sheffield Children’s World Admin Day Rising Star award! When she’s not meeting Sheffield United players Sarah most enjoys “supporting the people I work with and the amazing kids and families on this ward. I feel really privileged to help my colleagues help to them.”

As we mark the 75^th anniversary of the NHS, Sarah’s more committed than ever to Sheffield Children’s and the NHS as a whole, which she thinks we are “incredibly lucky to have.”

Huge congratulations for your 30 years’ service, Sarah and thank you for all you have done! We hope you enjoy celebrating your career with us at Sheffield Children’s.