Knightwood's Alice is first to receive NHS 40-year award

When Alice Breslin started out on her NHS career, T. Rex were top of the charts, Edward Heath was Prime Minister and the Watergate scandal was yet to happen.

Now Alice, who has worked all over NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, is delighted to have received recognition for her long service.

“I have loved - almost - every minute of my NHS career and I am still going strong,” said Alice, who has been based at the Vale hospital since 2016.

“I started as a very shy 16 year old back in June 1971 based in the National Executive Council in Lynedoch Crescent.

“We looked after the GP practices, sent out prescription pads and even syringes and also registered births and deaths. I remember Mr Crichton was my boss; it was very formal back then and you always called people Mr or Mrs something.

“I remember my first day at Gartnavel when it was brand spanking new. It was May 31, 1973. and they were still laying the carpets.

“There was such a great buzz about the new hospital and clinics were being moved up there from the Western, so there was lots of overtime while we organised the card indexes.

“The student nurses still wore the old uniforms with caps and cuffs and I remember a matron called Miss McNab too. She was tall, slim and ramrod straight and always had a strange smile on her face. I always felt like I had to curtsy when she walked past.

“Gartnavel had its own bank – not a cashline, a bank! We also had a real French chef called Edouard - very fancy. There were also lots of parties in the nursing home and we always got asked along. We had some great times.

“I also remember dressing up regularly to cheer up the patients too; my Alice in Wonderland outfit was my favourite.”

Alice has spent her entire career working in different roles in health records.

She said: “I love it at the Vale. I was made to feel so welcome from day one.”

Alice is just one of thousands of staff across the board area who will receive long service badges.