WUTH International Women's Day

At Wirral University Teaching Hospital, we are proud to have many extraordinary women working in different areas of the trust, from clinical to construction.

On International Women’s Day, we hear some of their stories and the life lessons they pass on with their favourite quotes. These women share their successes, passions, and aspirations, as well as their advice for other women who want to pursue a career in healthcare and beyond. We hope that by highlighting their achievements and insights, we can celebrate their contributions, recognise their diversity, and encourage more women to join and thrive in the NHS.

LINUJI THOMAS

The Trailblazing Nurse Who Illuminates Lives

On March 8, the world celebrates International Women's Day, a global occasion to honour the achievements and struggles of women in various fields. One of the most vital and challenging profession that women have contributed to and excelled in is healthcare, especially nursing. "The strength of nursing is that it’s historically a women's workforce," said Linuji Thomas, a divisional nursing director at Arrowe Park Hospital in Wirral.

Her words connect her to the lineage of Florence Nightingale, Clara Barton, and countless other unsung health heroines.

She wears this legacy with pride, her chest swelling as she proclaims, "I'm proud to be a nurse."

But nursing isn't just a profession for Linuji it's a metamorphosis. "Coming into the profession has made me a better mother, a better daughter, a better wife, and a better person."

Linuji's path diverged from her childhood dreams of microbiology. Back home in Kerala, India, she comes from a long line of nurses—a family tapestry woven with compassion. Between a nurse sister and a nurse brother, Linuji stands as the middle child. Remarkably, out of 32 grandchildren, 20 bear the mantle of nursing. Their collective heartbeat resonates in hospital wards across continents.

"It really is a very noble profession,” said the mother of two.

According to Linuji, the amazing thing about nursing is that it unfurls a myriad of paths from specialisation to management.

"I worked my way up," she said.

From a band five nurse to divisional nursing director, her ascent is a testament to a combination of dedication and mentorship. Inspirational leaders surround her, including her mother a caregiver who tended to grandparents back home. And beyond her family, historical luminaries cast their glow: from nursing pioneer Mary Seacole to the missionary Mother Teresa.

“Even our hospital's Chief Executive, Janelle Holmes, blazed a trail from nurse to CEO,” concluded Linuji.

“Courage doesn’t always roar. Sometimes, courage is the quiet voice at the end of the day saying, ‘I will try again tomorrow’.”

Janelle Holmes Chief Executive

Quote by Anne Radmacher

FROM SCRUBS TO STEEL BEAMS

In the intersection between healthcare and infrastructure, we encounter Joanna Jarvis, a dynamic woman who defies conventional boundaries.

Once an emergency department nurse in the bustling corridors of a Greater Manchester hospital, the 57-year-old now navigates the world of steel beams and blueprints at Arrowe Park Hospital in Wirral.

As we commemorate International Women’s Day, Joanna’s resounding message emphasises the importance of making a difference in people’s lives. Whether clad in scrubs or standing amidst the hum of construction, she reminds us that we all play a pivotal role in shaping the future.

“The thing I love most in upgrading the hospital’s urgent and emergency care department, is working with a multidisciplinary team to make a project successful,” she said. “I know that the new ED is going to make the environment better for patients and staff.”

It was Joanna’s passion for helping people that led her to nursing.

“I knew I wanted to work with people,” she said.

“At one point, I even considered joining the police force. But in 1983, fresh out of school, I embarked on a pre-nursing course and the rest is history.”

After a fulfilling career on the NHS front line for 30 years, Joanna sought a change of direction. She wasn’t ready to retire. Craving something less demanding yet equally impactful, she eventually found herself at the heart of a multi-million-pound renovation.

Her experience of managing a department during a similar-sized hospital build gave her a unique perspective.

“Having clinical experience in construction projects is rare,” she said. “But it’s helpful. I understand the heartbeat of a busy 24-hour emergency department, and I can decipher architectural plans. It’s like being bilingual—both languages are essential.”

Building dreams while balancing budgets can be hard, but it’s the logistical ballet that truly tests her mettle.

“Imagine a bustling ED and a major construction work coexisting,” she said. “We’re choreographing progress while safeguarding patient care.”

It’s no surprise that the women who inspire her are the ones deftly juggling families, work, and life’s myriad challenges.

“Their commitment to showing up and giving their all, without seeking recognition, leaves me in awe,” she concluded.

“Always stick to your principles and never let anyone compromise them.”

I love this quote by Barbara Gittings: ‘Equality means more than passing laws. The struggle is really won in the hearts and minds of the community, where it really counts.’

Debs Smith Chief People Officer

wonderful wisdom:

“I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.”

- Maya Angelou

Dr Nikki Stevenson Executive Medical Director

Meet the woman who is shattering stereotypes in the construction industry

Demolition worker Charlie Whiteside, defies convention on a construction site at Arrowe Park Hospital in Wirral.

As the only woman amongst her male colleagues at the new emergency and urgent care facility, she bravely confronts the challenges of a traditionally maledominated field.

Charlie’s enthusiasm for her job is evident, and she relishes the camaraderie with her colleagues, who respect her abilities and strong work ethic.

“My advice to women? You can achieve anything!“

“I warn them not to treat me like a girl,” she said. “Working in construction is hard work, but I genuinely enjoy it.”

At 43 years old, Charlie originates from the historic cotton-spinning village of Higher Walton, near Preston. Her journey into the construction industry began at the tender age of 16, inspired by her father, Eddie Whiteside a renowned Lancashire salvager featured on the popular reality TV show “Salvage Hunters.” Together, they dismantled old buildings and collected materials, sparking Charlie’s lifelong passion for construction.

Despite her diagnosis of emphysema eight years ago, Charlie remains undaunted. She maintains remarkable fitness, even covering over 30,000 steps a day during her work at Manchester Airport.

Her resilience and determination serve as an inspiration to other women aspiring to enter the construction field. The statistics are telling in the UK, only 12.5% of the construction workforce is made up of women, with most occupying administrative or managerial roles. Charlie’s presence challenges this norm, proving that women can excel in any domain. She has encountered neither discrimination nor harassment, and her message to fellow women is clear: “Anything is possible if you set your mind to it.”

Charlie, who works for Inglenorth Contracting Ltd, encourages women to pursue their passions fearlessly, breaking stereotypes along the way. So, to all aspiring women, heed her advice: “Go for it! You can achieve anything,” she said.

“If you truly pour your heart into what you believe in, even if it makes you vulnerable, amazing things can and will happen.”

—

Emma Watson

HAYLEY KENDALL CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER