An NHS volunteer who was instrumental in transforming a hospital’s gardens said she was left in “absolute shock” after being invited to 10 Downing Street.
Sue Worthington, based at Leighton Hospital in Crewe, Cheshire, was among more than 100 staff at the Prime Minister’s residence on Monday to celebrate the health service’s 78th birthday.
She was asked to attend in recognition of her dedication and contribution to healthcare, having held various roles at the NHS over the last 60 years.
“My reaction to being chosen to attend was just absolute shock. To be honest, I’m still processing the honour I’ve been given to represent our hospital,” Worthington said.
She first joined the NHS in 1966 as a therapy radiographer at The Christie in Manchester, where she worked until 1975.
After spending some time travelling and raising a family, she became an occupational therapy assistant practitioner at Leighton Hospital in 1995 – a role she held until her retirement in 2015.