Happy retirement to Kathy Hate, Rheumatology Nurse
Rheumatology colleagues have bid a fond farewell to Nurse Kathy Hate who has retired today after 56 years with the NHS – 38 at our hospital.
Cake, balloons, and gifts were all part of the celebrations on the Rheumatology Day Unit, where Kathy spent her last shift.
Her colleagues also organised a farewell party at the Unthanks Arms, in the city, for her to say her goodbyes.
Kathy now plans to spend more time with her family and enjoy taking life a little slower.
She began her training in 1965 at the First Hull School of Nursing, and qualified having gained the Silver Medal for coming top in the hospital exams.
Upon qualifying her first job was at the Princess Royal Hospital in the Medical Nephrology Ward, in Hull. Just nine months later Kathy was promoted to the role of Junior Sister and was given the opportunity to teach junior staff.
“This was really exciting for me because it provided me with the opportunity to lead by example and maintain exceptionally high standards of care for all patients,” said Kathy.
In 1984 Kathy moved to Norwich and joined our hospital working in Intensive Care before moving to Oncology and finally, to the Rheumatology Day Unit, where she remained until retirement.
Kathy said: “One of the highlights of my career was developing a teaching pack on brachytherapy, which was used to support the training of junior staff. This led me to present the paper at the 10th International Oncology Conference in Jerusalem in 1998. I have also been able to prepare a paper on cannulation, and enjoyed teaching doctors and nurses, and continue to do so to this day.
“For me my nursing career has been more than a vocation. Caring for patients and ensuring those I work with demonstrate the same level of care has always been at the root of all I do. I have had the pleasure of working with so many wonderful people who have given me many fantastic memories that will stay with me forever.
“As I retire at the age of 78, having worked for the NHS for 56 years, I will miss the patients and colleagues, as they have been a huge part of my life, but now I get to spend more time with my family and grandchildren.
“The best nurses I have worked with have always reminded me that our primary duty is to provide excellent care for our patients, and I hope those I have worked with have seen this and feel inspired to do the same.”