A NURSE has reflected on the most memorable moments of her 33 year career in the NHS.

Amanda Seager, who worked as training and education lead for theatres at Broomfield Hospital until January 7, has moved to Braintree Community Hospital to lead as the acting band seven senior sister for theatres.

Mrs Seager, 52, began her training at Sunderland School of Nursing in 1983 and began working in theatres after.

In 1990 she took on her first post as a sister and worked in Kent for many years before accepting a post as a nurse recruitment coordinator at Broomfield Hospital in 2003.

She said: “My job at Braintree Community Hospital is a new challenge for me, and it is day stay surgery, which I really enjoy.

“I will be working with a small but dynamic team of theatre and ward staff to provide the very best standards of care for patients undergoing surgical procedures.

"I will have the responsibility with my colleague, Paul, to ensure sound management structures are in place to maintain this as a safe, efficient and effective service.”

She recalled highlights of her career including recruiting more than 100 new staff to theatres over the last year.

As training and education lead for theatres, her main duties have been to ensure that all staff have access to appropriate training, supporting students and recruiting new members of staff to the department.

She added: “I work one-to-one with individuals to help them to achieve. There are staff who are now band sevens who I have seen grow and develop - it is a real thrill to see people do that.

“I saw keyhole surgery come in in 1987 and that has gone from strength to strength now with the introduction of things like the robot.

“We do procedures now that we wouldn’t have thought possible, there have been amazing innovations that ensure patients are given the best opportunity to recover from illness.

"I am delighted to have witnessed this over the years."