End of an era for Mold community hospital workers

Three dedicated hospital workers with over 100 years’ experience between them are celebrating their retirement from Mold hospital.

Healthcare Support Worker Anne Pennington, and nurses Hazel Ashton and Marian Hughes have all worked for the NHS in Mold Community hospital since the day it opened in 1985.

Describing the changes she has seen at the hospital over the years, Anne Pennington, 65 said, “I’ve worked on the day unit, the rehab unit and in the Minor Injuries Unit.

The hospital has grown so much since it opened and people’s roles have really changed, we offer so much more now than we used to like the blood service and the therapies services we have in here.

“It’s been lovely, I’ll miss the girls I work with and the lovely patients that have come through the doors over the years. Working here has made me feel like a true part of the community. Mold is such a lovely hospital, when people come to work here they don’t leave, they stay.

“I feel a bit nervous about retiring but I have beautiful grandchildren and I’m looking forward to spending time with them.

Nurse Hazel Ashton, 59, said nursing has been great for enabling her to build a career around her family life.

She said, “I can’t really believe I’m retiring, the time goes so fast. There’s been a lot of changes in the NHS along the way but I’ve always loved it. There’s such a sense of achievement when you make someone feel better.”

Speaking of her plans for her retirement, Marian Hughes, 58 from Rhosesmor said she has had “lots of fun” along the way and some tears too.

“We’ve been through so much over the years at this hospital, we’ve always got each other through it. A good sense of humour gets you through anything” she said.

“Nursing is a really rewarding job and I’ve enjoyed my career. I’m going to Iceland with my family to celebrate retiring and I’m looking forward to spending more time with them.”

Picture: L to R Anne Pennington, Marian Hughes and Hazel Ashton celebrate their well-earned retirement after over 34 years’ service each in Mold Community Hospital