A TEAM of nurses have reunited after 50 years to reflect on their lives.
They worked at the Cumberland Infirmary, starting as student nurses at the age of 18, and 50 years later they have reunited, although with two fewer members who sadly passed away in recent years.
Lesley Robinson, one of the nurses, said of their meet-up at In the Meantime in Carlisle, on August 7: “It was 50 years since we started our training, we've met once or twice in the past, 20 years and 25 years, so we thought this would be a major milestone.
“We just sort of commented that we used to have a lot of fun at work.
“You still did a good job though.
“I don't know if the fun element of nursing has gone with these years but maybe it has.
“I don't know why; I don't think nursing is any more serious now than it was.
“Things have obviously changed. There were stainless steel bedpans and you used to have to warm them before you gave them, but they now have cardboard disposable bedpans and bottles.
“I think there maybe weren't as many trained nurses on those wards back then.
“I agree that it should have gone down the academic route, but they don't get the level of hands-on nursing that you did back then.”
They’re all from Cumbria, with most of them from north Cumbria, except for one who was from Maryport.
Joining Lesley were Janice Moscrop, Vivienne Black, Mary Wilson, Margaret Pilmer, Sue O’Brien. Jane Thomas and Cathy Conolley.
Sadly, Heather Souter and Anne Skelton passed away.
Lesley said they intend to meet again, sooner rather than later.
READ MORE: Search continues for paddleboarder who has been missing for three days
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here