Hospital worker gave 110 per cent

STAFF at Warrington Hospital said farewell to a colleague who has “given 110 per cent” over her 37-year-career.
Barbara Crollar, of Grappenhall, has worked in a range of roles, with the past eight years spent supporting women with breast cancer. She was a prosthetic breast fitter caring for women who have had mastectomies.
She has seen many changes in the hospital care system since she started work on October 1972 at Thelwall Grange as an auxiliary nurse. When that closed in 1979 staff moved briefly to the old infirmary, and then to the new Warrington Hospital.
Her job as an auxiliary nurse changed to carer over the years, which she saw as “the branches on the tree holding the rest up.”
She worked on many different wards ranging from women’s surgical, to men’s surgical, day case and then on to urology and breast surgery ward.
The final move led to her post as prosthetic breast fitter. She completed 18 months training and changed from working part time to full time to accommodate her studies.
She found it rewarding and her motto has been “look after others as you would want to be looked after yourself.” Patients have valued her advice, guidance and empathy.
Consultant general surgeon Mr Graham Copeland paid tribute to Barbara at her retirement lunch attended by more than 40 colleagues.
He said: “Nothing is ever too much trouble to her and she will put herself out for everyone that she meets. She looks after all the needs of her patients, their individuality is the key to her and she gives them 110 per cent.”
Her husband Tony, a maintenance manager at Lymm High School, will also soon be retiring and the couple are planning a trip to the Maldives.
Pictured: Barbara and some of her colleagues celebrating her retirement.