Gale celebrates 22 years in the NHS | Talking #TeamCWPT blog

As CWPT's Long Service Awards approach, Gale reflects on her 22 years in the NHS and her current role as medical secretary support. 

"I started in the NHS 22 years ago in May 2002, as a secretary and helped set up admin duties for a new mental health day service unit, which the patients named as Grayson Day Unit at Avenue House. This was later called Oakwood Day Treatment Service in 2010. This was a very interesting role, working with clinicians who were so passionate about their roles. I learnt so much and I was proud of the part I played in that team. I had a spell of being the office manager at Avenue House, which was a challenging role and I made mistakes, but I had some great advice from a senior manager and her words resonate with me to this day.

A few years later, the Admin Hub was set up at Avenue House, and each week we had to work for a different team, which was a challenge and I struggled with this change for a long time, however, the love for the role I did was always there. After an admin review, I went from working in our mental health service to our learning disability service. I have been doing this job for 8 years and I love this role. I look forward to work each day. I work with a wonderful team who all have the same goal: giving the best outcome for our patients.

Life in the NHS has been such a rewarding experience, challenging at times, but a joy to be part of. I would not change my career choice at all. The NHS is a rewarding job and if you adapt and embrace all it has to offer, I hope like me you will have an enjoyable working career and make friends for life.

On a personal note, I love being a mum and grandma and my two daughters and grandson make life wonderful, fulfilling, make me burst with pride, and I have learnt so much from them. I also like walking, gardening and DIY. I have just celebrated my 65th birthday in Scotland and had the most amazing time."