Former nurse retires after almost five decades caring for thousands of patients across the North East

Lynn Armstrong began her nursing career aged just 17.

Lynn Armstrong, 65, began her career in nursing in Sunderland in 1973, when she was just 17-years-old.

Almost 48 years later, Lynn is saying her goodbyes to her much-loved colleagues after 20 years at North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust.

During her years as a ward sister in Sunderland, Lynn worked alongside then-nurse and now-Chief Executive at North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust Julie Gillon.

Following her retirement, Lynn is looking forward to making trips on her boat and spending more time with her family.

Lynn, from Murton, enjoyed a lengthy nursing career in Sunderland before relocating her professional life to Teesside.

In 2001 she made the move to the newly-renamed University Hospital of Hartlepool before joining the patient safety team in 2011.

Retiring just days after her 65th birthday, Lynn has been looking back on the thousands of patients she has helped throughout her time in health care.

Lynn said: “The game of time is wonderful. It doesn’t seem but five minutes since I was young and starting out on my nursing career. Now here I am saying goodbye with lots of lovely memories.

Lynn (right) worked alongside North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust Chief Executive Julie Gillon (left) during her years as a ward sister in Sunderland.

“I would like to say thank you to my friends and colleagues throughout the Trust for making my retirement so special and for being a part of my amazing nursing journey. It has been my pleasure and a privilege to work with you all.”

Her colleagues bid an emotional farewell to her, spoiling her with cards, flowers, presents and moving speeches.

Sajid Javid ‘confident’ Covid boosters can start from September despite no offic...

Lynn is succeeded in the Trust by her son Iain, a student nurse in the Trust’s emergency assessment unit.

North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust Trust Chief Executive Julie Gillon, who started her career in health care alongside Lynn, said: “It’s been a pleasure working alongside Lynn all these years – she has made an incredible contribution to patients not only at our Trust, but across the North East.

“On behalf of everyone at North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust, I’d like to wish Lynn a happy and healthy retirement.”

Now that she is retired, Lynn is looking forward to making trips on her boat and spending more time with her family, including her two grandchildren, aged 8-years-old and just 18-weeks.

Support our journalism and subscribe to this website to enjoy unlimited access to news, sport, retro, daily puzzles and more online. With a digital subscription, you can read more than five articles, see fewer ads, enjoy faster load times, and get access to exclusive newsletters and content. Click ‘Subscribe’ in the menu to find out more and sign up.