I remember my brother screaming in A/E as he got stitches after falling into a wall in my Nan’s Garden. He was about 2 years old, and I was 4. I told my Dad, “No one I look after will scream like that.” That’s when I decided to become a nurse to help people get better.

My ambition to become a nurse never wavered. I researched the necessary subjects for my exams and visited the General Nursing Council careers office at Marble Arch when I was 14. I also wrote to the School of Nursing at Barking Hospital. The school careers officer was unhelpful and tried to discourage me. But nothing would. It was always my plan to care for people.

Since 1978, I have been employed in health care. I began my career at Barking Hospital on a geriatric ward as a Nursing Auxiliary while awaiting the commencement of my nurse training.

I began my 2-year training as a State Enrolled Nurse in 1979. I worked at Barking Hospital, Chadwell Heath, and King Georges. We were paid students and part of the workforce, rotating through 8-week placements on wards and departments like theatre or A/E, followed by a week in the classroom. We learnt on the job with shifts similar to qualified nurses, including late shifts, split shifts, and nights. I excelled during my placement in the Operating Theatre.

The Charge Nurse who mentored me had a big impact on my nursing career. As a student in the theatre, I scrubbed for major procedures under Tony Smythe’s guidance. I qualified in 1981, at a time when new nurses could choose their work area. One of my choices was the Operating Theatre, and in January 1981, I started working there at King George’s, Newbury Park. I stayed there for 18 months before I moved to the Isle of Wight.

I worked on the Isle of Wight for 19 years, returning to Barking in 2001 to look after my Dad after my Mum had passed away. During that period, I converted to a Registered General Nurse at Portsmouth University in 1996. I continued to work in theatres and achieved the position of senior staff nurse. Additionally, I was an officer in the Isle of Wight branch of the National Association of Theatre Nurses, which later became the Association of Peri-operative Theatre Practitioners. I served as membership secretary. I also held this role at the London Branch after relocating to Barking.

After returning to Barking, I worked as a junior sister in theatres at the Royal Free Hospital. I also assisted my Obstetrician and Gynaecologist friend with his hospital plans in Ghana. Later, I moved to Whipps Cross Hospital and became a senior sister in theatres.

In my early nursing career, I was married and had three daughters, leaving little time beyond motherhood and work. Despite this, I attended church and helped at a youth group in a local church hall until it closed.

Throughout my nursing career, I have consistently emphasized the importance of educating both nursing and medical staff to ensure patient safety and effective multidisciplinary team collaboration.

As part of my role in the National Association of Theatre Nurses (NATN) and as a senior staff nurse, I organized an educational evening in collaboration with a company specializing in medical devices. This event was the first of its kind on the Isle of Wight and provided certification for attendees, making it valuable for their personal development files. It was open to both surgeons and nurses and proved to be highly successful.

The Isle of Wight branch of NATN was very active; we organized open days where our operating theatre was accessible to the public and hosted a national event which invited nurses and speakers from across the country. During my tenure as an officer of the London Branch, various local events were arranged, and I frequently oversaw the catering. Consequently, I have gained extensive experience in catering for professional events.

As time went on, I became busier at Whipps Cross Hospital where I was a Senior Sister with the responsibility of 2 operating theatres, which led me to stand down from AFPP.

I identified a challenge due to the shortage of junior doctors available to assist during surgeries. With the assistance of the senior surgeon and considerable effort to persuade the theatre Matron and mangers, I pursued additional training to become a Surgical First Assistant. This qualification enabled me to expand my role as a scrub nurse and provide direct support to the surgeons. I received substantial support from my team throughout this process to achieve this certification.

I had a particular interest in DVT prevention, so I voluntarily attended a course offered by a medical company. The course was very informative. Equipped with the knowledge I had gained, I approached my manager, who initially didn’t give it much attention. However, after a CQC inspection of the hospital confirmed my concerns, it became urgent to address the issue promptly. Despite this, there was minimal education provided to the staff regarding the introduction of new procedures. I addressed this gap by arranging for a medical company representative to educate and inform the theatre staff, which significantly improved their understanding.

During the introduction of the Enhanced Recovery initiative at the hospital, I was sponsored by the Consultant Surgeon and Anaesthetist who launched the scheme to attend a workshop. I participated in this workshop on my own time. Unfortunately, there was minimal support from my manager and practice development nurse, possibly due to their lack of understanding of the concept. Nevertheless, I disseminated the information to the recovery nurses and anaesthetic nurses, as they were the professionals directly responsible for implementing the protocols aimed at improving patient recovery post-surgery.

I then served as the theatre department’s representative for various steering groups to improve patient outcomes, focused on continence, deep vein thrombus, and Enhanced Recovery. This role allowed me to become acquainted with different courses within the Trust that were available for my team to attend, thereby enhancing their practice and contributing to their professional development files (PDFs). I advocated for these courses to be accessible to theatre nurses. The nurses who attended found the courses both interesting and valuable.

Reflecting on my experience on the Isle of Wight, I undertook the task of educating surgeons and staff about specific medical devices used in certain procedures. With the support from medical company representatives and consultant surgeons at Whipps Cross, I organised a workshop for junior doctors on the usage of stapling devices. This initiative resulted in an engaging study day where junior doctors gained a deeper understanding of how these devices are operated. The primary rationale behind organising this event was to ensure patient safety.

These are just a few of the scenarios of my long nursing career in the operating theatre. But at the heart of it is always patient safety and education. When the rationale behind a process is explained, it tends to be better understood and more likely to be implemented.

I have always been passionate about supporting less fortunate areas overseas compared to the UK. I had the opportunity to fulfil that ambition through my friend, Davies, an Obstetrician and Gynaecologist from Ghana, who established his hospital in Accra, Ghana. I assisted him in acquiring equipment and resources for the hospital by attending medical auctions and collecting outdated yet functional equipment from Whipps Cross.

I was invited to Ghana several times to commission the operating theatre at Mary-Lucy Hospital and train nurses to become operating theatre nurses. On two occasions, I successfully procured a stack system free of charge from medical companies Styker and Storz for keyhole surgery. Additionally, I had the privilege of accompanying Davies to conduct free health clinics in his village located in the mountains of the Volta Region.

During these visits, I learnt to improvise when necessary and utilize basic nursing skills, which proved to be very rewarding. As a testament to my contributions, a ward in the second hospital that opened in Ofankor and an operating theatre in the new wing of Mary-Lucy Hospital have been named after me, which is a great honour.

My work in Ghana was acknowledged by Barts Health Trust. I was invited to speak at a convention of Trust employees who have contributed to health care overseas.

When I moved back to Barking to live with my Dad, who sadly died in 2004.  I aimed to make new friends and learn about the area again. A note came through the door about the Sutton Tenants and Resident Association, which I began attending. Residents discussed various local topics, mainly bins and parking. Due to work commitments, I couldn’t attend as often as desired. However, it became clear that with direction and motivated people, several initiatives could be achieved, including a summer fete for charity on the green. I even won a cake competition and held a stall for St Patrick’s church. Eventually, when those key motivated individuals could no longer sustain the association, it folded. If it wasn’t for work commitments, I was considering taking a role myself, but as theatre sister it was impossible to predict if I would be home in time to attend meetings.

As I near the conclusion of my nursing career, I reflect on the extensive range of experiences I have gained. These experiences are now shaping the next phase of my life. I can now follow my ambition of supporting and helping my community. I believe I have much to contribute and share, which I intend to do within my local community. I am dedicated to environmental sustainability and committed to promoting the health and well-being of the community.

I am dedicated to my Christian faith and have embarked on a journey to contribute to the community in Barking. Since returning to Barking, I have been a member of St Patrick’s Church. I joined the Church Council in 2005 and assumed the role of secretary in 2010. As an active member of the Church, I have organized and facilitated many events that have welcomed the community into St Patrick’s Church. In 2023 I became Church Warden, under the direction of my senior warden, Linda I have learnt a lot about what it takes to run a Church.

The environment is of paramount importance to me, and in 2019, I sought ways to clean and learn more about the River Roding. Additionally, I was looking for assistance in cleaning up a river near my residence, as neither the council nor the Environment Agency appeared interested in addressing this issue. During my search, I was directed to Roding Rubbish, a litter-picking group, which facilitated my engagement with the community.

Through Roding Rubbish, I became acquainted with Steven Champion, the founder, along with Severine and Karen. Their efforts motivated me to organize clean-up initiatives in my local area, with substantial support from Severine, Karen, and other volunteers. My involvement with Roding Rubbish led to connections with the Thames Ward Community Project, where I attended a workshop at the Everyone Everyday Warehouse, a location previously unknown to me.

When Steven relocated to Manchester in 2022, I accepted his invitation to become Co-Leader alongside Severine. My first major independent project involved collaborating with TWCP, later rebranded as Thames-Life, to clean up The Ripple Nature Reserve. This experience was both enriching and educational.

 I assumed the role of co-leader while working as a staff nurse in theatres. Prior to this, I had departed from Whipps Cross in 2015 and gained experience as an agency theatre nurse. During the COVID pandemic in 2020, I returned to Whipps Cross as a Staff Nurse.

On my days off, I participated in workshops and meetings that were instrumental in enhancing my skills and contributing to the development of Roding Rubbish. Additionally, I attended meetings focused on the re-opening of the Ripple Nature Reserve, an area I frequently I returned to Barking with my dog. It was renowned for its beauty and tranquillity. Moreover, I developed a keen interest in a planning forum. Some years earlier I had attended a resident engagement event at Christ Church on Thames View about the project on Barking Riverside. Little did I know then it was the start of a greater involvement in trying to subdue that development.

Matt, the CEO of Thames-Life, recommended applying for the Community Chest Fund, on behalf of Roding Rubbish This was a new experience. Severine was unable to assist due to her own commitments. Steven provided information about social prescribing. Through Roding rubbish litter picks, I connected with local councillors who taught me about social value. Skills developed during my nursing career, such as research and presentation, were utilized effectively. This was the first time applying for funding, and the presentation was prepared within a short period, receiving positive feedback. The application was successful, and the funding was obtained.

I became increasingly aware of my potential to contribute to the community. A position at Thames-Life became available for ‘Community Organiser’ for one day a week, which led me to reduce my hours at Whipps Cross and accept the new role. I continued participating in the Green-up group, focusing on litter picking and yoga. Inspired by the GP drop-in clinics, I decided to organize a similar clinic at St Patrick’s Church. With the assistance and guidance of Lucy from Thames-Life, Emma from the council, and the doctors from Ripple Road Surgery, the initiative was highly successful.

My experience in nursing has demonstrated that preparation and education are crucial in saving lives. I organized a Resilience Day for the local community. I collaborated with the British Red Cross, who provided instruction on first aid and basic life support. Additionally, I invited representatives from the local fire brigade, the environment agency, and other local authorities to speak at the event. Understanding that participants are more likely to remain engaged if refreshments are offered, I arranged for pizza to be served at the halfway point of the event.

I place high value on information dissemination within the community. There is significant news about events occurring in the borough and issues that require addressing or inquiry.

The Ripple Effect Resident Campaign group was established when residents were attempting to preserve the Everyone Everyday Warehouse, a valuable resource for the area where minimal rent was charged. Residents could acquire skills in woodworking, needlecraft, and podcast creation. However, the council mandated its closure, impacting many individuals’ mental health and their ability to find suitable alternatives. Unfortunately, the campaign to save the warehouse was unsuccessful.

Subsequently, the Ripple Effect Group relocated, and I assumed the role of Chair when the group moved to the local community club. This transition proved beneficial, as it engaged residents who previously showed no interest in their area. I have organized various guest speakers and consistently informed the group about developments within the borough to the best of my ability.

The experience, knowledge, and skills I have acquired throughout my nursing career, particularly in my roles as a Senior Sister and Team Leader, have equipped me with the confidence to apply them within the community setting. Reflecting on my training, I recall considering a role as a Community Nurse or practice nurse upon returning to Barking. However, the timing was not suitable for me then. I have decided that this now the right time for me to work in the community and retire from my main role as a theatre nurse. Now, I am eagerly anticipating the new challenges associated with the position of Health Outreach Organizer at Thames-Life. 

By Marion Hull RGN.