Publish date: 20 January 2025
Meet the Team in Berwick - Louise Melvin
How long have you worked at/done a clinic at Berwick
I started working on ward 1 at Berwick Infirmary in 2021 when I relocated back home.
Brief career history?
I moved to Newcastle in 2005 to do my nursing training at Northumbria University. After graduating, I was lucky enough to secure my first nursing job at North Tyneside General Hospital on the general surgical ward. I then moved to some private healthcare work before making a return to the NHS by moving to the RVI on their colorectal surgical ward. I had another few private jobs before I relocated back to Coldstream and came to work on ward 1 at Berwick in 2021.
Why do you love working in Berwick?
I thoroughly enjoy looking after and supporting the elderly community as they rehabilitate. Ward 1 has a great team that makes coming to work every day more enjoyable.
Can you share a couple of fond memories of working in the infirmary over the years?
I haven't been on the ward that long to have many memories but the one thing that sticks out is the wonderful team we have on ward 1. We are a small team but we stick together and have all supported each other through the various moves we have had in a short space of time. Each and every one of us are looking forward to finally getting into our forever home.
How do you feel seeing the new hospital being built?
I am looking forward to moving into our forever home in the new hospital. In the last three years, we have spent time on the old ward, in a local care home and now we’re on a temporary ward, so having the stability of our new ward is definitely appealing!
Since the building work started it has progressed very quickly so it’s exciting to watch the build happen before our eyes.
How will the new hospital improve your role?
It's so important to have a ward within the local hospital, to continue to provide care to the local community. We currently only have 10 beds, which are very precious and sought after, so moving up to a ward with a larger capacity will help us continue to provide a much-needed service for the local community who need rehab facilities or palliative care.
How do you think the new hospital will improve patient care/experience?
As previously mentioned, our ward has had a few moves over my time here whilst in preparation for the new build. The fact we will finally have our forever home and be able to increase our bed capacity from the current ten patients will mean that so many more local people will benefit from that service.
Where were you born, where do you live and what do you do to relax?
I was born in Edinburgh and I currently live in Coldstream, right on the Scottish/English border. I enjoy spending time with family and friends and getting out with my little chihuahua to relax.