Call for city nurses to join reunion dinner

A PAIR of nurses are appealing to reconnect with their fellow trainees as part of a 40-year reunion.
Elaine Stringer (second right) with former nursing friends - Sharoe Green HospitalElaine Stringer (second right) with former nursing friends - Sharoe Green Hospital
Elaine Stringer (second right) with former nursing friends - Sharoe Green Hospital

Elaine Stringer (nee Turner) and Angela Fletcher (nee Harrison), who were schooled at the old Sharoe Green Hospital/Preston Royal Infirmary from 1976 to 1979, are looking for other former students to attend a meal at Angelos, in Preston, on September 3.

Once they qualified, the nurses went their separate ways, but Elaine and Angela, both 58, have kept in touch. After her training, Angela, of Leyland, worked in intensive care at Royal Preston Hospital for a year, before she went on maternity leave.

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She returned to the profession in 1994 as a school nurse. She later took up safeguarding and also became a health visitor. She is now a practice teacher in school nursing.

The grandmother-of-one said: “I have fond memories.

“I loved living in the nurses’ house in Sharoe Green. Living on-site, you felt part of the hospital and community.

“I am still in contact with Elaine and another woman who lives in Australia.

“As she is coming to the UK, we thought it would be a great idea to round up some others and have a reunion for our ruby anniversary. We will meet at Angelos, as that was where we all went out.”

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Once Elaine qualified, she took a post in the intensive care unit at Preston, before she moved to Whiston Hospital. Elaine, now a grandmother, returned to Preston’s general wards and she began her training as a health visitor in 1983.

She also took a specialist post in safeguarding children in Blackburn in 2009. She retired in 2013 but has since returned to work as a part-time health visitor in Knowsley.

Elaine, who lives in Runcorn, said: “It is good to be nostalgic and reminisce about our training days.

“I remember spending a lot of time in classrooms. It was a lot more disciplined as I felt I was at school. I felt unprepared and frightened of putting a foot wrong.

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“When I have students who come out with me, they seem more confident and relaxed.”

If any nurses trained with Angela and Elaine wish to take part in the reunion, email [email protected].

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