Cornwall NHS Staff Honoured for Decades of Service as NHS Turns 77

Published On: 4 July 2025Last Updated: 4 July 2025By CornishStuff

Celebrating 77 Years of the NHS

The NHS marks its 77th anniversary this weekend, and in Cornwall, the milestone is being celebrated by shining a light on some of its longest-serving staff.

At events held across the county, those who have dedicated 25 years or more to the health service were recognised for their hard work and loyalty. Presentations were made by Trust chief executive Debbie Richards and chair Margaret Schwarz.

Speaking at an event in Truro, Debbie said:
“This is your celebration. We are here today to celebrate every one of you and your significant contribution to the NHS.
“It is not just the NHS is it? It is to patients, the patients’ families, their relatives. Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly really identifies as a place that’s really proud of its NHS today.
“There will be so many very rich stories from each of you in this room. But the one thing that I know you all share is an absolute commitment to public service and to providing the best possible care to patients.”

📷Ali Pedlar (centre) receives her Long Service certificate from Trust chair Margaret Schwarz (left) and chief executive Debbie Richards (right)

Ali Pedlar: 41 Years and Still Learning

Ali Pedlar began her NHS career as a student nurse at St Lawrence’s Hospital in Bodmin in 1984, when the NHS was just 36 years old. She describes herself at the time as “a naïve and quiet student nurse, learning whilst doing the job”.

She reflected on the hospital’s past:
“Back then the hospital was seen as an old asylum. There was a lot of stigma around the hospital and mental health. Were the high walls to keep people out or keep people in?
“The hospital was not a bad place. Care was second to none, people could come in for respite, had time to recover and there were numerous therapies on offer.”

Ali shared how the hospital was a self-contained community, complete with a farm, printing works, and social club.
“Those that could work did and enjoy the social side as well as feel self-satisfaction. There was a social club, with bus trips, café, and theatre. There was even their own banking through patients’ accounts.”

Ali now works as a senior assessment service mental health practitioner at Alexandra House in St Austell.
“I am very protective over the NHS and love the work I do, feeling very privileged to hear someone’s story often for the first time,” she said.
“To help them understand how they got to this point and enabling people to move forward. This is the greatest reward and gives you so much more than you ever expect.
“41 years in the NHS and still going, when I stop learning I will retire.”

📷Susan Lewis (centre) chats about her career with the NHS

Susan, Jackie and Jeremy Honoured for Decades of Service

Susan Lewis has worked for the Trust for 45 years. She is a community healthcare assistant at Trevillis House in Liskeard and was recognised for her long service at the Truro event.

Jackie George, a bank community nurse at Newquay Community Hospital, has served the NHS for 46 years. Speaking at a long service event in Bodmin, Jackie said:
“What an amazing career it has been. Taking me to many interesting places, working with dedicated, passionate colleagues, and most importantly making a difference to so many lives of patients both in the hospital and in the community.
“I have had the privilege to work with such inspiring people and to meet with patients from all walks of life.”

Jeremy Hocking has worked for the Trust for 35 years and is currently IT business manager for Cornwall IT Services (CITS).
“I have seen many operational and technological changes to the IT service in my 36 years with the NHS,” he said.
“But it still feels good when a colleague or service thanks you for making their day that little bit better.”

NHS at 77: A Legacy of Service

As the NHS turns 77 on Saturday 5th July, staff in Cornwall continue to demonstrate what dedication looks like. Through decades of change, their commitment remains the same: to care, support and serve.