Farewells

Mushtaq Ahmed

Dr Mushtaq Ahmed, Manager Genetic Counsellor, has retired after 29 years of working at the genetic counselling service. Dr Ahmed stated that he thoroughly enjoyed his work and support from his past and present colleagues and the Trust.

Dr Mushtaq Ahmed has dedicated his career to Clinical Genetics and Genomic Medicine. He has been one of the pioneers of transcultural genetic counselling service in the UK and has helped to set up genetic counselling services in Pakistan and the Middle East.

Dr Mushtaq Ahmed has played a key role in engaging and recruiting British Pakistani families in genomic research projects. The findings of these projects have significantly contributed to patient care and genomic knowledge. This work has led LTHT to be at the forefront of Clinical Genetics and Genomic Medicine both nationally and internationally. Dr Jennifer Campbell, Head of Yorkshire Regional Genetics Service at LTHT, Dr Saghira Malik Sharif, Ms Kath Ashcroft and Ms Rachel Belk and the team has arranged a special farewell event in September to appreciate Mushtaq’s hard work, clinical care to his patients and the huge contribution in enhancing the inclusion of diverse populations in genomics. and contribution Mushtaq has many fond memories of his work at LTHT and has said that he intends to carry on with his voluntary role with the Advonet Group where a wide range of advocacy services are offered to people from diverse backgrounds, facing a range of challenges, in the Leeds area. Mushtaq is looking forward to long walks, reading and last but not least watching cricket.

Helen Johnston

Helen one of our amazing midwives has retired. Helen started her nursing career in 1984 and worked from 1987 at the LGI. She began her career as a midwife in 1981 and has been part of our antenatal family for many years. Helen was a fantastic midwife and student mentor, she now has time to enjoy her passion for travelling (Covidpermitting) and if not has lots of time to do jigsaws, learn the harmonica and meet up with her friends! Helen’s colleagues said: ‘We’ll miss you and wish you all the best for a well deserved ‘you time’ lots of love from your maternity family.

A fond farewell to our long-serving staff

Heather Bradley

Heather Bradley joined the NHS in 1991, the same year that St James’s and LGI merged. Heather is a technically astute engineer and has worked her way up in the technical support area becoming a specialist in many systems and services until she became a Service Delivery Manager. An invaluable member of DIT, Heather has supported, trained and advised most members of DIT at some point and has been involved in a multitude of projects and improvements over the years. Heather has a number of nicknames including the “Trust Oracle” due to her knowledge of people, and IT. She is a trusted member of DIT with an army of friends across the Trust due to her personality which leads into another nickname as “Auntie Heather”.

She is now retiring after 30 years and will be missed by all her friends and colleagues across the trust. Heather and her family are moving to Northumberland to settle down and enjoy life. On behalf of LTHT and DIT her colleagues thank Heather for all her hard work and commitment over the past 30 years, and wish her good luck for the future.

Sue Ward

Sue Ward started her career at the Trust in July 1981 working in Pathology Reception (now Ground Floor Reception at St James’s) covering Histology, Cytology, Micro, Blood Bank, Haematology and Chemistry. Sue remained in Pathology but worked for Cytology bringing in the new recall process for cervical smears. Sue then returned to Pathology Records as a Supervisor. In 1994 Sue moved to Haematology to establish the MLA service (now BSW) and including introduction of Telepath. In 2009 when Blood Sciences was formed, Sue became the Office Manager at St James’s. Sue has been an integral part of Pathology and she will be sorely missed. Sue and her husband Dave plan to travel and her colleagues wish them a fantastic, long and happy retirement.

Sylvia Abraham

Sylvia Abraham has retired from her voluntary role after volunteering for the Trust for 60 years. Sylvia joined the Friends of St James’s as a volunteer when she was 21 years old. Back then she was responsible for giving out visitor cards and then progressed to serving tea and coffee, before eventually moving onto wards in the Lincoln wing where she provided drinks on the ward for patients and visitors. Sylvia joined the Sir Robert Ogden Macmillan Cancer Centre when it opened in 2000. She has worked on the reception desk being the first point of contact for visitors and telephone enquiries. She has attended every Friday afternoon since joining and very seldom missed a shift.

Julian Hartley, Chief Executive, said: “Thank you, Sylvia, for all you have given over the years – We wish you a very happy and fulfilling retirement!”

Simon Knight

After 30 years of service to Leeds Hospitals and beyond, Mr Simon Knight, consultant plastic, reconstructive and hand surgeon, has decided to retire. He was enticed away from Canniesburn Hospital, Glasgow, where he had been appointed as consultant, to Leeds in 1992 with the prospect of developing what has become a powerhouse of plastic and hand surgery in Britain and across the world. Working with similar minded colleagues in the department, he forged the future for hand surgery and microsurgery across Yorkshire, this includes the development of the hand surgery unit, which has occupied several physical locations in Leeds hospitals but continues to deliver the highest level of care for patients. Simon has held senior national positions within his professional society, the British Society for Surgery of the Hand (BSSH), has lectured widely and has treated thousands of trauma and elective patients along with colleagues throughout the Trust in his lifetime of consultant service in Leeds.

His greatest legacy and one of which he should be particularly proud of is that to his trainees. He offers a beautiful triad of experience, clear thinking and an ability to inspire. Several generations of plastic surgery trainees, some of whom are now consultant colleagues, have benefitted from this and remember his advice.

Of course, Simon will be missed as a person, a colleague and a doctor, and his colleagues all wish him well. However, he has on-boarded to the LTHT Bank, so maybe he won’t always be far away.