FRIDAY, 30 JUNE, 2017

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE. PHOTOS ATTACHED – PHOTO OF RONNIE (FAR LEFT) PUSHING THE FIRST PATIENT AT NINEWELLS IN 1974. PHOTO OF RONNIE PUSHING HIS FINAL PATIENT FROM WARD 9 AT NINEWELLS . L-R: DR GEMMA HOGG, CHARGE NURSE SHONA MUIR, RONNIE STEWART AND PATIENT GORDON FERGUSON FROM FORFAR. PHOTO OF LORNA WIGGIN, RONNIE STEWART WITH NHS TAYSIDE CHIEF EXECUTIVE, LESLEY MCLAY

And it’s goodbye to Ronnie after 48 years

After a career spanning more than four decades working for the NHS, Ronnie Stewart is saying farewell to his colleagues today (Friday, 30 June) at Ninewells Hospital.

Colleagues, friends and senior managers gathered at Ninewells Hospital to say goodbye to Ronnie and celebrate his long NHS career which has been spent entirely within the health service in Dundee.

Born in Dundee, Ronnie became a porter in 1969 spending a few years working at Dundee Royal Infirmary. He then volunteered, with other porters, to help prepare the wards for patients for the opening of the newly-built Ninewells Hospital. Ronnie is very proud to be able to say that he pushed the first patient in 1974 and even has the original photo taken to mark the occasion.

Ronnie has held a number of positions over the years ranging from general porter, chargehand porter and Assistant General Services Manager for Portering to his final position of Assistant Locality Manager/Transport Manager.

Ninewells Hospital has increased in size with various departments and new extensions having been added on all to accommodate the improvements and developments in heath care since the 1970s. It would be fair to say that Ronnie has probably walked every inch of the hospital and in doing so racked up thousands of miles on his ‘pedometer’ – if only he had been wearing one.

Ronnie said, “Over the years I have had the privilege of working with a great bunch of people and I will be leaving the NHS today with many happy memories.

“From my first portering job at DRI and up until my last post, I never forgot that I was here for the patients as I kept that thought foremost in my mind in everything I did.

“As you would expect, after a career lasting 48 years it has been a learning curve. Some might say a very long learning curve but I can honestly say that I have grown up with Ninewells Hospital and the hospital has grown up around me.

“Working as a porter definitely kept me fit and I would guess the number of steps I have taken in my work over the years runs into the millions so I may have to take up golf again to help keep my steps up.

“I know that when I am happily retired I will spend many moments thinking about my time in the health service and all the staff I have worked with, and reflect on all the good times we shared.

“NHS Tayside staff do a fantastic job day-in-day-out and I have to admit that it will be a wrench to say goodbye.”

NHS Tayside Chief Operating Officer Lorna Wiggin thanked Ronnie for his long and dedicated service over the years and presented him with gifts on behalf of his colleagues and the organisation.

Lorna Wiggin said, “Today Ronnie celebrates his final day with NHS Tayside and his long career in the health service. The large turnout of staff here is testament to the high regard in which Ronnie is held by his colleagues.

“Ronnie has been part of the fabric of Ninewells since he, as a young porter, moved the first patient in 1974. His dedication and commitment to delivering the best service for patients has been a constant throughout his working life. Before the word ‘patient-centred’ was used, Ronnie’s attitude to his work embodied this and has been an important part of every role that he has undertaken within NHS Tayside.

“Ronnie was very keen that his last day with NHS Tayside would involve some portering duties. He was clear that he wanted to have just a few hours portering as he wanted to be able to say that he started as a porter and finished as a ‘porter’. I am pleased to say that we were able to arrange this and that Ronnie got his wish today as he carried out portering duties this morning.

“On behalf of the organisation, I would like to wish Ronnie a very happy retirement and thank him for all his years of NHS service.”

Contact:

Anna Michie

NHS Tayside Communications

(01382) 424318