Colleagues bid a fond farewell to epilepsy nurse specialist Sandra Gillies who retired from the NHS in March after 36 years service.

Sandra, who was attached to the Integrated Community Children’s Nursing Service at Wishaw General Hospital, began her career as an auxiliary nurse in 1979.

After qualifying as an enrolled nurse, Sandra completed a conversion course in paediatric nursing and worked for a short time at Yorkhill Hospital, Glasgow.

On returning to NHS Lanarkshire children’s ward at Monklands Hospital, Sandra moved to Greenburn School (a community school for children with additional needs) before joining the community children’s nursing service as staff nurse.

In 2010 Sandra was promoted to specialist nurse for children with endocrine conditions.

She thereafter took up a secondment to the children’s epilepsy service, a role she held for a year.

When a substantive post was advertised, Sandra joined the children’s epilepsy team as a permanent member of staff.

In 2014 Sandra gained her post graduate certificate in the management of childhood epilepsy.

Sandra lives in Annathill with her husband and in her spare time enjoys cooking, baking, reading, walking her dog and sunny holidays.

Margaret Johnston, team leader, said: “Sandra is an excellent nurse and has delivered high quality, professional, person-centred care to children and families throughout her career.  Sandra has been a great support to all her colleagues within the team and will be greatly missed.  We wish Sandra a long, happy and healthy retirement”.