Hospital staff with nearly 1,000 years of service between them awarded at ceremony

More than 30 staff at the hospital trust were awarded with a special celebration to mark their long service on Tuesday.

Each of the 35 members of staff has worked at least 25 years at Guys and St Thomas’ Trust – more than 900 years collectively.

A wide range of clinical and non-clinical roles are represented by these members, including housekeeping, pharmacy, nursing, dietetics, nuclear medicine, administration, sleep science, finance and more.

Professor Ian Abbs, chief executive of Guy’s and St Thomas’, read out the citations for each long-serving member of staff, noting some of their achievements and career highlights, before presenting them with a medal in a ceremony at St Thomas’ Hospital. 

Among the staff receiving awards was Sanjeev Heemraz, a consultant nurse in ophthalmology.

Mr Heemraz was described in his citation as “a pioneer for ophthalmic nursing”, who “led his team and the service to truly deliver holistic care to some of the most vulnerable patients”.

Mr Heemraz said: “I strongly believe that Guy’s and St Thomas’ values their staff well-being and career progression. 

“We had and continue to have strong nursing leadership that encourage staff to develop and promote the Trust on a global stage. 

“I love coming to work at St Thomas’ Hospital.”

Charles Alexander, chairman of Guy’s and St Thomas’, said: “It is my honour to celebrate the dedication and commitment of so many of our long-serving members of staff. 

“We are grateful that you have given so many years of your careers to Guy’s and St Thomas’, and you should be proud of all you have achieved during this time for the benefit of our patients.”

Pictured top: 35 members of staff awarded at the celebration on Tuesday (Picture: Guys and St Thomas’ Trust)