Dr Cheryl Etches OBE, chief nurse and deputy chief executive at The Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust, has retired as Chief Nurse after 38 years of service.
Cheryl was presented with gifts at a retirement celebration surrounded by friends and colleagues on Wednesday 28 March.
Cheryl has been a nurse in the NHS for 38 years and she has been chief nurse and deputy chief executive at the Trust for the last 13 years.
She has been at the forefront of innovation whilst at the Trust with projects such as dementia care, Care of the Dying Project and the Safe Hands Patient and Staff Tracking system.
The Trust still holds a record for the longest period without a MRSA bacteraemia.
Cheryl was instrumental in establishing the joint role, with the University of Wolverhampton, of the first Professor of Clinical Practice. She also worked with the University in establishing the UK’s first Health Futures University Technical College, where she is currently a governor.
Chief executive, David Loughton CBE, said: “Cheryl joined the Trust at a time when the organisation was going through a challenging period.
“Since she joined we have gone from strength to strength and that is particularly down to Cheryl.
“Her work in regards to infection prevention has been tremendous and we owe her a great deal.
“On a personal level I have become great friends with Cheryl and she has been very supportive over the years. We will all miss her.”
Cheryl added: “It has always been the people and leaders that have kept me at this Trust. They are amazing.
“We are way ahead of the curve most of the time and I am very proud to finish my NHS career working here. What we have achieved is down to the team here. I am proud of the legacy I am handing over to the new Chief Nurse Ann-Marie Cannaby, who will have a great foundation on which to build.
“I am truly grateful for every opportunity awarded to me working at RWT and of course a special mention to our outstanding leader David Loughton CBE.”
Professor Ann-Marie Cannaby will join the Trust as the new chief nurse on Tuesday.
