A double celebration goes to outpatient manager Irene McLeary and clerical officer Moira Hamilton who both retired from the outpatients department at Wishaw General Hospital in March after a combined 65 years service.

After 38 years service, outpatient manager Irene McLeary retired from NHS Lanarkshire in March.

Irene, who was based in the general outpatients department at Wishaw General Hospital, began her nursing career as a student nurse at Law Hospital in February 1977.

After qualifying in May 1980, Irene took up the post of staff nurse in ‘A’ block surgical at Law Hospital. In March 1982 Irene became relief surgical sister before leaving in May 1983t to have her first child. In June 1984 Irene returned to nursing as a part-time staff nurse, again in ‘A’ block. She thereafter took maternity leave again in March 1987 to have her daughter.

Following her maternity leave, Irene returned to NHS Lanarkshire where she worked in ‘A’ block before taking up the post of part-time staff nurse in the general outpatients department in 1992.

During her career Irene has progressed in outpatients, firstly as a relief sister, then sister and in June 2013 took up the post of outpatient manager.

Irene lives in Motherwell with her husband Jim.  They have one son Graeme (31), a daughter Laura (28), one granddaughter (Rose) and another grandchild due in May.
In her spare time Irene enjoys socialising, reading, travelling and spending time with her family. She regularly goes on holiday and has made many friends in Fuerteventura where she travels many times a year. Upon her retirement Irene intends to resume her love of swimming.

Colleague Lorna Martin said: “Irene has been an outpatients nurse for many years and will be missed by everyone. We all wish her a very happy, healthy and long retirement, although she would be welcomed back anytime”.

After 27 years service, clerical officer Moira Hamilton retired from NHS Lanarkshire in March.

Moira, who worked within Reception B, outpatients department at Wishaw General Hospital, joined NHS Lanarkshire in 1988 when she was appointed as clerical officer with the supplies department at Law Hospital.

In 1988 Moira moved to medical records at Law Hospital before transferring to a similar post at William Smillie Maternity Hospital.  In 2001 Moira moved to the outpatients department at Wishaw General Hospital where she remained until her retirement.

Moira lives in Carluke with her husband Ian.  They have two daughters Fiona (36) and Lesley (34) and one grandson Brody (2).

In her spare time Moira enjoys walking, reading and was a Girl Guide leader for many years until she retired last year.  Upon her retirement Moira intends to spend time in her newly purchased greenhouse and may consider looking into undertaking voluntary work.

Outpatients supervisor Linda Finlayson said: “We all wish Moira a happy and healthy retiral”.