Last week Gateshead Health NHS Foundation Trust received results from the 2021 NHS Staff Survey. Within it was revealed that colleagues are more likely to recommend Gateshead as a workplace than those who work for other NHS organisations around the UK, scoring 6.3% higher than the national average. The results also make Gateshead one of the top three places to work in the North East and North Cumbria Integrated Care System.
Lauren Stephenson is currently studying a degree in Diagnostic Radiography, and currently works bank shifts at the QE Hospital following a previous full-time spell as a Radiology Support Worker. Highlighting the family feel here – and a tradition of recommending Gateshead as a place to work, Lauren is currently following in the footsteps of several of her family members by enjoying a career at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital.
Lauren shares: “The QE has been part of my life from a young age. My mam worked here from the age of 16, starting as a nurse cadet and working at Gateshead right up until she retired almost 10 years ago. As young kids, my sister and I were often put in the car by our dad – already in our pyjamas, to go and collect my mam from work at 9:00pm when she finished her shift as a nurse.
“As well as my mam’s time here, my Dad also currently works in the Trust as an Anaesthetic Healthcare Assistant, while my uncle has only recently retired from his role as an Operating Department Practitioner. In more recent years, my cousin has started her role in PODs as a Healthcare Assistant, too.
“My sister and I both grew up with the hospital very prominent within the family. My sister went on to work in the Safeguarding team at the QE for several years, until she left in September 2020 to follow in my Mam’s footsteps and complete a degree in Adult Nursing.
“I started a role in as Radiology Support Worker in the Ultrasound department back in June 2019, however I also left my full time role last year to complete a degree in Diagnostic Radiography.
“My sister and I both continue to work in the Trust by doing bank shifts where we can. I am proud to work in such a friendly hospital, and we both hope that the Queen Elizabeth Hospital will continue to remain a part of our lives in the future.”
The Trust would like to thank Lauren for taking the time to share the story of her family’s extensive contribution to the organisation, and thank the entire family for their fantastic efforts over the years.