A Bolton nurse is being honoured for an incredible 60 years of service to the NHS and to her community.
Jean Cummings, who now works as a clinical research nurse with Bolton NHS Foundation Trust, first joined the health service as a cadet nurse all the way back in 1964.
Her career has taken her from cadet to staff nurse to a sister in neurology and A&E in Salford in the 1980s.
Looking back on what inspired her to take up her career, Jean said: “A lot of my family lived locally to Bolton, it was all about being part of the local community and serving them.
“Throughout my career it has been a privilege to be a part of people’s lives to help make a difference.
“The time has flashed by because I have had so many interesting jobs and every day is different.”
Jean is now one of many nurses around the North West who’s work has been recognised for their contributions on International Nurses Day.
The day celebrates the work that nurses do all over the world and is held on May 12.
Over the last 60 years one of the biggest changes Jean has seen has been how technology is used to help deliver health and social care.
She said: “So much has changed over the past six decades, from A&E to research; we have seen so many advancements.
“Everything improved because it helped us to communicate with other departments, transferring important documents and information, and at the new A&E in 1996 we were starting to receive digital images from X-Ray which was so important for staff as it meant results could be viewed straight away.”
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In this latest stage in her career, Jean now works in clinical research at Bolton where she helps to find new and better ways to treat illnesses for patients.
She said: “I hope our research improves the future care for patients and that our volunteers enjoy the experience.
“I’ve been involved with cardiovascular studies and testing new treatments with people who have had heart attacks and strokes.
“You can really see the difference in patient care and how it’s all improving outcome for our families for years to come.”
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