Sterile services technician David Reeve, 70, marks five decades with West Suffolk Hospital

David Reeve with his Long Service Award certificate. Picture: WEST SUFFOLK HOSPITAL (Image: Archant)

David Reeve, 70, joined the finance department at West Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust (WSFT) in the summer of 1967, aged 20.

Working his way up to the role of finance manager, he remained in that department for 40 years.

Ten years ago he decided to embark on a change of career, staying in the NHS and becoming a technician in the sterile services department (SSD).

The hospital’s SSD plays a vital role in cleaning and sterilising medical and surgical equipment. It processes on average an estimated 96,000 sets of equipment each year, serving West Suffolk Hospital’s wards, clinics and operating theatres, Newmarket Community Hospital and local GPs.

David was presented with a long service award certificate by Steve Dunn, WSFT chief executive, with other representatives of the executive team and the SSD in attendance.

Accepting the accolade, David said: “I would really like to thank the team that I work with; it’s not just about me. On the days where we are particularly under pressure, it’s because of our great team effort and hard work that we achieve what we do.”

Mr Dunn said: “David is an inspiration to us all. His dedication, loyalty to the NHS and outstanding work ethic are just fantastic. West Suffolk, and the NHS as a whole, is lucky to have staff like David, who work so hard to serve their community.”

Kirsty Carter, deputy manager of sterile services at WSFT, said: “David is such a joy to work with - he’s always smiling, always on time and is so conscientious. He cycles into work every day, both caring for the environment and his own health - he puts the rest of us to shame.”

The SSD will soon be moving from its Hospital Road site, where it has been based since 1971, to new purpose-built premises on site at West Suffolk Hospital.