Kate White celebrates 50 years of service in Somerset’s NHS

Kate White began her career in 1972 as a cadet nurse at East Reach Hospital in Taunton and she is now currently working as a staff nurse in orthopaedic outpatients in Musgrove.

Fast forward to this September, she celebrates an incredible half-century of continuous service with the trust.

Kate celebrating her achievement with her friends (Image: Steve Richardson)

Kate said: “Back when I started, we weren’t allowed to work on the wards until we were 17 years old, so when I began as a cadet nurse at the tender age of 16, I began to see how a nurse worked in various departments.

“I completed my training across different areas of the hospital, such as medicine and general surgery, but there was something about trauma and orthopaedics that I really loved and that’s where I’ve spent the majority of my career in the NHS.

“Then I took a conversion course to a state registered nurse in 1993 and have continued to work in trauma and orthopaedics on completion.

“Care in the hospital has changed so much since I began in the NHS. If someone fractured their femur (thigh bone) back then, they would be in traction and on bed rest for weeks. Nowadays there is far more surgical intervention and a more rapid recovery period.”

Jacqueline Howse, sister in orthopaedic outpatients and a long-time colleague and friend of Kate’s said: “I have had the privilege to have worked with Kate for the past 10 years and would like to congratulate her on such an outstanding achievement.

“She is an excellent nurse who is dedicated to providing the best care possible and despite her 50 years of continuous service she is always ready to learn new skills and gain knowledge whilst being an exceptional role model for other nursing staff.

“I would like to thank Kate for her hard work, professionalism and sense of humour and the positive affect she has had on the many patients she has cared for during her career.”

Over the years, Kate has worked in many departments and is most proud of becoming a junior sister on Gould Ward.

She worked nights on Hestercombe for the last eight years and has seen many colleagues come and go.

Despite all her knowledge she has not stayed still and has recently started a different role in July working as a staff nurse in Orthopaedic outpatients in Musgrove, helping patients with all manner of injuries from fractures to supporting hip replacements.