Norma retires after 46 years with NHS

After 46 years of service within the NHS, Norma Godwin is retiring.

In 1985, Norma began working for Plymouth Hospitals NHS Trust. Since then, she has covered a variety of roles, including Clerical Officer within the Records Department at the Locum Bank, at Scott Hospital and in the Radiotherapy Department at Freedom Fields. She has also been a Clerical Officer/Receptionist within the Maxillo Facial Department.

In August 2003, Norma returned to the Central Records Library as a part-time supervisor, before becoming a full-time supervisor in November 2004, covering a variety of responsibilities to ensure that the case notes were readily available for patient care.

During Norma’s time in the Central Records Library, there have been a number of staffing reorganisation and she has seen some huge changes to working practices. She has always championed the new electronic ways of working, as well as helping colleagues in the hospital to change to new electronic systems whilst requesting notes.

In March 2012, Norma agreed to take on the lead in setting up the filing service in an attempt to get the backlog of loose filing under control in preparation for eNotes.  An unenviable task and a very challenging one, but one that she embraced and tackled with energy and enthusiasm.

Norma said: “I am really overwhelmed, I asked for a quiet one today and my colleagues have done this for me, I really am amazed. Faces are here that I haven’t seen for years, it’s lovely.

“I have really enjoyed my time with the NHS and will miss everyone dearly. I would like to wish everyone the best.”

Norma’s retirement plan was originally to move closer to her daughter, Caroline, and grandchildren Zac and Harry who live in Bristol, however Norma has now decided that she is going to enjoy some time with sons Nick and Duncan before she confirms her long term plans.

Vanessa Bennett, Head of Health Records, said: “This really is the end of an era and we will miss Norma’s knowledge of the whole way that the Central Records Library runs, it’s really not going to be the same without her.

“Thank you Norma for all of the service you have given to the NHS in general and Plymouth Hospitals NHS Trust in particular. We wish you all the very best for a long, happy and restful retirement.”