Whiston Hospital staff nurse retires after 50 years of service

Valerie Stockley is retiring after working for Mersey and West Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust (formerly known as St Helens and Knowsley Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust) for 52 years and becoming the Trust’s longest serving staff member in the process.

Valerie recalled starting her career which she says could have gone one of two ways, as although she always had aspirations to be a nurse, her teacher had hopes for her to pursue a career in drama.

Val during her early days as a nurse (Image: Val Stockley)

Describing how the two are not too dissimilar Valerie said: “You are essentially acting in your role as a nurse. When you enter the ward, you leave your own problems in a carrier bag at the door and from then on, you’re there for the patients.”

Now, at the age of 70, Valerie bids farewell to her patients and colleagues on the Burns and Plastics Unit and after changing more than 50,000 dressings during her career, it’s not surprising her colleagues refer to her as ‘the statue figure of the dressings clinic.’

Valerie talked fondly about her time at Whiston Hospital and said, “Being a nurse is a true privilege, you get to touch the lives of so many people and they really do remember how you make them feel.”

She also added how nursing has changed over the years for the better, saying: “Nursing has always been about caring, but over the years it has become so much more centred around the patients’ individual needs.”

Alongside caring for thousands of patients, she is also renowned for the emotional support she provided everyone, offering a listening ear to patients and colleagues.

Her manager Nicola Crompton added: “Val takes everyone under her wing and is always there for everyone in the team.

“She’s been an excellent mentor, sharing her skills and knowledge with many a student and staff member. We’re so sad to be saying farewell but feel incredibly honoured to have worked with her.”

Valerie will now take a well-deserved rest for the next few weeks, but the caring doesn’t stop there, as she plans to dedicate more of her time helping out at a church.

A local hero, Valerie has dedicated her life to caring for others.

Director of Nursing, Sue Redfern said: “On behalf of the Trust, I’d like to send Valerie a huge, heart-warming thanks for all the care she has given to our patients over the last 52 years.

“Although she will be missed, we wish her all the best in her retirement.”