Retiring after 39 years with the NHS, most members of staff have a bucket list which includes travelling. With trips planned to countries including Canada and Hawaii, staff nurse Edith Todd is no exception. However, her other retirement pursuits will include helping the homeless and volunteering in soup kitchens.
Edith began her career as an auxiliary nurse at the Royal Scottish National Hospital then moved to urology where she was a staff nurse and then a ward sister. She latterly worked in surgical specialties ward B31 which she enjoys, but says her happiest memories are from Stirling Royal Infirmary.
She explained: “We had an excellent medical team and worked with patients for a long time so built up a good rapport with them and their families. I remember one patient who was 21 and had just got engaged when he was diagnosed with testicular cancer. Fortunately he recovered and when I met him years later he thanked me for my honesty, telling me I was the only one who warned him that the treatment would not be pleasant.”
Edith says she feels privileged to have worked with such excellent colleagues. However, Senior Charge Nurse Lynne Paterson says the NHS is privileged to have had Edith as a member of staff. She said: “Not only has Edith been an integral part of urology but she’s a ‘well kent’ face and always on hand to help out in other wards if they need her expertise. She will be very much missed, not only for her extensive knowledge and professionalism, but also for the support she has provided to younger members of staff, encouraging them to maintain her high standards.
Edith was joined in her retirement celebrations by partner Graham, daughters Lisa and Elaine, grandson Cameron and her many friends and colleagues.
