Hospital stalwart celebrates 30 years

A stalwart of Andover War Memorial Hospital says that the sense of community at the Charlton Road hospital means she has enjoyed going to work there for the last 30 years.

Donna McCormack recently celebrated 30 years of service at Andover hospital. She is a well-known and much-loved figure around the hospital and in the wider community, having won the Services award at the Pride of Andover Awards in 2016.

“It certainly doesn’t feel like I’ve been here 30 years,” she said. “It’s gone really quickly and I think that is because I’ve really enjoyed it.

“I enjoy the challenges, but most of all, I just like making patients, visitors and staff happy. If I can get something sorted and it makes things easier for somebody, that’s what I come to work for.”

Back in 1988, Donna began working in the catering department. She worked her way up the ranks, taking over management of the portering and cleaning staff before becoming site services co-ordinator, managing the day-to-day running of the hospital, in 2011.

“The great thing about working here is that everyone works as a team,” the 55-year-old, who lives in King George Road, added. “We are all in it together and help each other out with whatever needs doing. The hospital has a real community feel and is an important part of the local community as well.

“The biggest highlight was definitely winning the Pride of Andover Award a couple of years ago. I’ve also been involved in some royal visits and the opening of the Countess of Brecknock Hospice was a real highlight as well.”

Donna McCormack (centre) with Kit Malthouse, MP for North West Hampshire, and Alex Whitfield, chief executive of Hampshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust