A long-serving volunteer who helped transform gardens at Leighton Hospital has attended an NHS birthday celebration event at 10 Downing Street.
Sue Worthington, who has been part of Mid Cheshire Hospitals for 31 years, was selected from colleagues across to country to be recognised for her dedication and contribution to healthcare.
The grandmother-of-two joined NHS staff and volunteers at the Prime Minister’s official residence in Westminster to take part in the national event.
Sue said: “My reaction to being chosen to attend was just absolute shock. To be honest, I’m still processing the honour I’ve been given to represent our hospital.
“The thing I was most excited about was walking through the famous Number 10 door and then, as the event was held in the garden, I was able to have a good look round to see what it was like.
“It all looked so lovely and I’m sure I’ll take away some ideas. I’m always looking for inspiration to help improve the gardens at Leighton – even at Number 10.”
Sue joined the NHS in 1966 as a Therapy Radiographer at The Christie in Manchester, where she worked until 1975.
Following time spent travelling and raising a family, Sue wanted to return to working in a clinical role.
In 1995 she applied to become an Occupational Therapy Assistant Practitioner at Leighton – a role she held until her retirement in 2015.
Part of her job in the early days was to take patients to the Occupational Therapy outdoor space to enjoy gardening activities.
During the 1990s, the original garden was relocated and Sue was instrumental in the creation of a new therapy space, including helping to organise the fundraising.
She worked with young people from the Prince’s Trust (now King’s Trust) to build the first new garden section, which was opened in 1997. Further improvements were unveiled in 1999 and 2001.
Following the construction of a new Critical Care Unit, the garden again had to be transformed.
Sue helped to lead the way – alongside volunteer David Williams, of Kerrystone Garden Design – and a stunning new space was opened in 2016.
Since then, Sue, David and the dedicated volunteer gardening team have gone on to maintain 11 vital outdoor spaces across the hospital, playing a key role in supporting the wellbeing of patients and staff.
She said: “My ambition since I started at Leighton was always to do something special with the courtyards, so having had the opportunity to design and develop the gardens alongside David has been a dream come true.
“The volunteers who now help maintain the gardens have been assembled over the last six or seven years.
“We are a small but dedicated team and we all have the same goal – to keep the gardens looking as good as we can for the wellbeing of patients, visitors and staff.
“We get such positive feedback from so many people that it makes us realise how important the garden spaces actually are.”
Sir Keir Starmer welcomed more than 100 NHS staff to Downing Street’s garden for the national event to celebrate the 78th birthday of the NHS.
Alfredo Thompson, Chief People Officer at Mid Cheshire Hospitals, said: “Everyone who knows Sue agrees that this recognition is thoroughly deserved.
“She was always a hugely valued member of our Occupational Therapy team and, since her retirement, she’s been an invaluable, inspirational part of our volunteer gardening group.”
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