Nursery nurse Linda Mellon has headed ‘Down Under’ after 23 years with NHS Forth Valley, where she has cared for more than 100,000 children and their families. Staff in the Children’s Ward at Forth Valley Royal Hospital said goodbye with flowers, personal gifts and some Australian dollars.
Among well-wishers was a message from one of Linda’s first patients, now aged 25. Using social media the woman, who has a long-term condition, said she was pleased that Linda had waited until now to emigrate to Australia as today’s technology would enable them to keep in touch electronically across the miles.
It has taken Linda from Sauchie and her husband Ron, two years of form filling to gain entry to Australia where they have a son and daughter living in Perth, and another son living near Melbourne. A qualified nursery nurse, Linda began her NHS career as a play leader in the old Ward 2 at Stirling Royal Infirmary and then applied for a nursery nurse post.
Reflecting on her career she said: “I’ve really enjoyed my time in Forth Valley as I’ve worked with a great bunch of people who are not only colleagues, but like a wider family who I can trust and depend on.”
Linda’s daughter is a pre-school teacher at Perth University and Linda hopes to undertake supply work there.
Pictured – Linda is pictured with (left to right) Sister Karen McFarlane, Ward Manager Fiona Cook and Sister Margaret Rooney.
