A NURSING veteran was among those celebrating the 70th anniversary of the NHS at a special event in Stockton-on-Tees.
87-year-old Sheila Bradley was joined by members of Teesside’s health services for the celebration at The Beeches Care Home, on Green Lane.
Sheila was an NHS mental health nurse for over 30 years, having trained at Newcastle University and worked at North Tees Hospital.
Now living at The Beeches, she presented goodie bags as a thank you gift to members of the North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust district nursing team, community matrons, GPs and dentists.
The bags contained wine, chocolates, face masks, notepads and pens as well as a personal thank you card to each of the attendees.
The home also had a buffet, a homemade celebratory cake and luxury milkshakes from mobile sweet shop Sugar n Spice.
Sheila is just one of several residents at the care home who have held careers in the NHS, alongside former nurses Mary Peek and Irene Sanchez and former domestic workers Alwyn Behan, Edith Jordison, Violet Pinnegar and Doreen Flynn.
Sheila said: 
“I really enjoyed celebrating the 70th anniversary of the NHS with everyone. One of my favourite memories as a nurse was when I used to visit the children with Down’s syndrome, as they were always so loving and used to like to give cuddles.”
Helen Wood, home manager at The Beeches Care Home, said:
“We wanted to say a little thank you and show our appreciation for all our local health service workers do for The Beeches and the care they provide to our residents.”
Philippa Lillie, North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust district nurse, said:
“I would just like to say a huge thank you to Helen and all the staff for welcoming us and supporting us each and every time we visit your home.”
