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Lynda Hard, Staff Nurse in Ophthalmology, has had various nursing roles over the years since joining the team at Hinchingbrooke in 1983 at the age of 18, but her career started in the medical ward, Lime Tree, which was located at the front of the site. Here she shares her story:

“I completed my training at Addenbrookes and Huntingdon County Hospital, which was near the railway station. The Care of the Elderly wards were already open at the new Hinchingbrooke Hospital and I remember each area gradually moving across to the new building. It was an exciting time for us all to be in these brand new facilities.

“As my career progressed I was given the opportunity to work in a maternity cover role on Beech Ward, which cared for patients who were having surgery for orthopaedic, trauma or ophthalmology. I really enjoyed that variety of the care required and particularly enjoyed caring for patients who required eye surgery and treatment, so I stayed as a staff nurse with the team.

“In 2005 our Treatment Centre opened and I remember moving across from the main site into the new Treatment Centre and wondering what we were going to do with all this space. We had so many rooms and space for huge pieces of equipment and the latest technology. Now I know that as our local population has grown, we use every room.

“Research and technology has improved so much over the years that now we can hold off some conditions, such as macular degeneration, which would have previously resulted in sight loss. It is great to see how healthcare has changed over the years.

“I work with a great team in Ophthalmology, but in June I retired. I have such a friendly and supportive team and we look after each other so I decided to join the bank staff and work part-time.”