Publish date: 4 July 2023
40-Years of service for catering supervisor at community hospital
Catering supervisor Angela Smith at Haltwhistle War Memorial Hospital achieves 40-Year Service in the same month the NHS turns 75.
Angela Smith is a long-serving staff member who has worked as part of the catering team at Haltwhistle since 1983.
She first joined a job creation scheme a year earlier which landed her a position at Hexham General Hospital. After five months, she was transferred to Haltwhistle to temporarily cover an absence.
It was on her return to Hexham she decided to apply for a permanent position at Haltwhistle, and in 1983 began the role that would lead to her current position.
“I remember having celebrations for someone else getting their 30-year service and I didn’t even think I would make it to 10! It’s an achievement that I’m really proud of.”
Angela, who was born in the old hospital and grew up in Haltwhistle, has been a member of the community her whole life.
Reflecting on the last 40 years, she said “I’ve met so many great people along the way. Due to the nature of the job, people are always coming and going so you really get to know everyone.
“Things have changed since I first started and it’s great to see how things have developed in the catering department throughout the years.”
A memory of Angela’s was celebrating the 100th birthday of Haltwhistle War Memorial Hospital in 2022 as it was a chance for staff, old and new, to come together to share their stories.
Damon Kent, managing director of Northumbria Health Facilities Management, is proud to have Angela as part of the catering team.
He said: “40 years of service is a huge achievement. We’re so lucky to have Angela as part of the team as her hard work and dedication is an inspiration to others. It’s people like Angela that keep our hospitals running behind the scenes.
“To achieve this in the same month as the NHS turning 75 is something special.”
Many of our celebrations this week will continue to highlight our incredible staff here at Northumbria Healthcare.