Friends and colleagues gathered to pay a fond farewell to Jean Donaldson, associate nurse director, South Lanarkshire Health and Social Care Partnership, who retired in August after a remarkable 40 years’ service.

Jean trained as a nurse in Lanarkshire and, after qualifying in 1982, took up her first staff nurse post at University Hospital Monklands. In 1986, she moved to community services where she worked across the country leading and managing community nursing services.

During her career, Jean has held a number of senior roles including lead nurse, senior nurse and associate nurse director for long-term conditions.

Jean has led and developed many services and is the multiple award-winning leader of the continence care project, which has gained national (Scotland) recognition at a number of prestigious award ceremonies. These have included the 2017/18 Scottish GO Awards for Excellence in Public Procurement, Innovation and Initiative and the 2018 Scottish Health Awards as well as being the winner in the ‘Making research and evidence real’ category at this year’s Scottish Social Services Awards.

Jean lives in Airdrie with her husband Wullie.  She has a son William and daughter Mandy and is the proud grandmother to Caitlin (aged one). 

In her spare time, Jean enjoys hillwalking and holidaying with close friends.  More recently she has become the proud owner of a camper van and is looking forward to cruising around the country as one of the happy camper gang.

Maria Docherty, nurse director, South Lanarkshire Health and Social Care Partnership, said: “Jean has provided 40 years nursing service to Lanarkshire. She is caring, compassionate and her level of professionalism is only surpassed by her passion for nursing.  Throughout her career she has challenged, nurtured, led and delivered nursing care to the highest level, always striving to improve services and support staff along the way.

“I, like many others, have had the privilege of working beside her and we are in her debt, as she has provided support and guidance to us all throughout her career.  I thank her for the care she has provided to the families in Lanarkshire and for the impact she has made in nursing across the county.  We wish her well in her retirement.”