Two NHS workers have been recognised after completing 100 years of service between them.
Glen Stevenson, a night shift porter, and health care assistant Anne King are both based at Inverclyde Royal Hospital and have each worked with the health service for 50 years.
Anne, 66, started with the NHS when she was just 16, taking up a post at the former Bridge of Weir hospital.
Since then, she has held several different roles, working in the care of older people, doing surgical day and night shifts, spending 10 years covering nights in A&E, and more recently working in the IRH’s fracture clinic.
Anne told how the highlight of her job is helping patients and seeing them get better.
The mum-of-one, from Greenock, said: “I’m so proud I’ve managed to do it. I absolutely love my job. I could retire now but I don’t want to, I’d miss it too much.
“The best part is the patients. In my department, we often see the same people for quite a while coming back and forth getting dressings changed and things, and it’s lovely to see them getting better and better each week.
“I like having a wee joke and a laugh with them, that’s a big thing.
“We have a great team – we get on so well and we all help each other.”
Earlier this month, Anne’s department organised a celebratory tea to mark her 50-year milestone, and she was presented with a special cake and flowers.
She was then treated further by her daughter, husband and four sisters who took her out for dinner.
Meanwhile Glen, 68, also from Greenock, started with the NHS when he was 18 and initially worked at Ravenscraig Hospital before moving to the IRH.
He joked that hitting the 50 year milestone makes him feel “ancient”, but also told how he has no immediate plans to retire.
Hospital bosses organised a tea party and ‘50’ cake for him too, which was attended by other porters from his team.
Glen, who has three grown up children and one granddaughter, said: “I can’t actually believe it’s been 50 years with the NHS – that makes me feel ancient.
“It’s a great team of people that I work with, I’ve been lucky that way.
“I spent about 11 years working at Ravenscraig and have been at the IRH ever since.
“The hospital managers organised a tea party for me with sandwiches and cakes, and a lot of the other porters came down for it.
“I was worried that I might have to do a speech but they’ve said that can wait until I eventually retire.”
Louise Watson, NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde Site Lead for the IRH, said: “We are privileged to be able to recognise Anne and Glen for their incredible long service.
“Both Anne and Glen play key roles in ensuring patients get the best possible experience at Inverclyde Royal Hospital.
“Their experience and many years of service is invaluable to NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde and we would like to thank them for their continuing hard work and dedication.”