A HELSBY NHS worker has earned praise from a Government minister in recognition of her 50 years of service.
Angela Edwards MBE, who worked as a medical administrator and patient welfare officer, said the letter from health secretary Andrew Lansley was the ‘icing on the cake’ for her career.
Mr Lansley had sent the hand-written message after a recommendation from Runcorn MP Graham Evans.
Mr Lansley said Mrs Edwards, Hallstone Road, Helsby, had made a ‘terrific’ contribution and he remembered that she had featured in an ‘extraordinary’ book to celebrate 60 years of the NHS.
Mrs Edwards works at the Brooker Centre mental health unit in Runcorn for 5 Boroughs NHS Trust. She plans to retire in 2012 and return to her second love – as a Chester tour guide.
She hopes her parents, who worked for 50 years in the NHS between them, would be proud.
She said: “I’ve had a wonderful week marking 50 years with the health service.
“Getting such a personal note is the icing on the cake.
“I can’t believe Mr Lansley has taken time out of his busy schedule to write to me. My friends and family are thrilled.
“I like to think my parents would be proud of me. Between us we have devoted 100 years to the health service which is really quite remarkable.
“I’m really excited about working as a tour guide particularly as the Olympic flame will be travelling across the region. I will miss everyone from the trust though.
“I’ve enjoyed every second of my working life and I wouldn’t have changed it for the world.”
