SEPT NURSE JACKIE REID CLOCKS UP 60 YEARS UNBROKEN NHS SERVICE

South Essex University NHS Foundation Trust’s (SEPT) Bank nurse Jackie Reid has clocked up a remarkable 60 years unbroken service for the NHS this April. 

Jackie Reid has been a nurse for the NHS since April 14, 1953 and continued working immediately following her retirement and has been working bank shifts in South Essex University NHS Foundation Trust’s (SEPT) community diabetes team and for Southend Hospital diabetes team. 

Jackie was a pioneer in setting up the first ever liaison nurse service between community and hospital nurses and went on to be the first in the country to run a revolutionary specialist diabetes nurse service in 1973. She has remained in this field for 40 years.

Mother of two Jackie started her training at Orsett Hospital in 1953 when she was 18 and did her district nurse training for nine months at the prestigious Queens Nursing Institute and worked in the community in Thurrock for ten years while also finding time to have and bring up her two daughters. Her calling was with working with people with diabetes.

She has continued to work in Basildon and Orsett hospitals and in the community and since retiring is more regularly at Southend Hospital and in community clinics - covering bank shifts four days a week.

Jackie said “It certainly doesn’t feel like 60 years has gone by and I have thoroughly enjoyed being part of the NHS during that time. Despite the many changes I have seen the NHS is still a wonderful organisation that I am proud to be associated with over such a long period of time”.

SEPT Chief Executive Dr Patrick Geoghegan OBE said “Jackie is a real inspiration and I am so proud to still be working with her. The Queen had her Diamond Jubilee recently and it’s only fitting that we mark Jackie’s Diamond Jubilee for the NHS in similar fashion. “I first met Jackie when she was setting up one of our first diabetic clinics in 1980 and I am extremely proud of her achievements.  I also believe without Jackie’s drive and determination to improve conditions for diabetic patients we would not be where we are today.  Jackie must be congratulated and I hope she continues to provide what I believe is an exceptional service for patients who come into contact with her”.

ENDS