A HEALTH worker who started and ended her career around Great Yarmouth has retired after nearly a quarter of a century in the job.

Mary Hardman began as a healthcare assistant at James Paget University Hospital in 1987, before qualifying as a nurse in 1992. She then worked as a staff nurse within the community before qualifying as a district nurse in 1996 before spending the next seven years working from bases at Lowestoft’s High Street Surgery and the Falklands Surgery in Yarmouth and joining Yarmouth Primary Care Trust.

She then rose to become deputy director of adult care and lead nurse for NHS Great Yarmouth and Waveney Community Services in 2006.

Mary, who lives in Yarmouth area and retired after 24 years of service, said: “The parts of my career which I am most proud of are my years in the community, working to develop services to keep people at home. I have also loved developing staff. Watching people grow and take responsibility is very rewarding and ensures the development of our services and what we can ultimately offer the patient.

“I plan to spend my retirement making jewellery, something that I have been doing as a hobby for quite some time, spending time with my family and particularly my granddaughter.

“I also intend to build on my neuro-linguistic programming skills. Although I’ll miss all of my colleagues, I’m sure I’ll find plenty of things to fill my time.”