Countess of Chester Hospital pays tribute to founding staff as 40th year draws to a close

For 40 years, the Countess of Chester Hospital has been much more than a building – it has been a community of people committed to caring for one another.

Staff like Graham Pemberton, who started as a porter in 1996 and now plays a vital role in ensuring the hospital runs safely and effectively, embody this spirit of dedication and compassion.

This week, the Countess of Chester Hospital NHS Foundation Trust is bringing to a close its year-long celebrations marking 40 years since the main acute general hospital was officially named on 30 May 1984.

The milestone anniversary year has been a chance to reflect on the hospital’s journey and the dedication of its staff. The celebrations culminated this week with the Long Service Awards, where staff who have devoted 25 and 40 years of service to the hospital were honoured.

Among those recognised is Graham Pemberton, now a Compliance & Analytics Officer in the Facilities team, who, over nearly three decades, has steadily progressed through a range of roles – from Chargehand to joining the Facilities Service Management team – while always maintaining close ties to the portering service where it all began for him. Today, as a Compliance & Analytics Officer, he helps ensure operations run smoothly and safely. Graham reflects: “When I joined the Countess, I had no idea what path my career would take, but it marked the beginning of a long and rewarding career within Facilities. I’ve had the chance to take on new responsibilities, work with amazing colleagues across the Trust, and grow with every step. There have been challenges along the way, but also countless moments that I’ve found deeply rewarding. I’m looking forward to what’s next with this fantastic team and the continued opportunity to contribute to the Trust’s future.”

The anniversary year has been packed with milestones and improvements across patient care, staff wellbeing, research, and infrastructure – reflecting a clear journey of progress.

In patient care, the Trust has seen rising satisfaction in maternity services, with a notable increase in ratings in the latest CQC survey. Midwife-led Parent Education classes have been reintroduced, empowering parents with vital skills. The Liver Cancer Screening Service has expanded, catching more cases earlier and improving outcomes for patients. The ‘one-stop’ Urology clinic now offers faster, more convenient care by combining tests and appointments into a single visit. Patients also benefit from innovative procedures like Trans-Nasal Endoscopy, whilst waiting lists for elective treatments continue to fall with cancer and diagnostic treatment waits reduced significantly. The hospital recently marked a regional first by performing the North West’s inaugural ™Sentio hearing implant and launched a new digital communication tool, giving patients 24/7 access to their health information online.

Staff wellbeing has been a major focus this year. The 2024 Staff Survey – which achieved the highest participation from staff in over ten years – showed encouraging improvements in wellbeing, inclusivity, and feeling valued. These positive results are reflected in the changes the Trust has made over the past year, including the opening of a dedicated staff Wellbeing Hub that offers a restful space, personalised support, and events for all employees. Teams across the hospital have also earned recognition, such as the colorectal cancer team shortlisted for a Cancer Nursing Times Award, and the Anaesthetics and Endoscopy departments both re-accredited by national bodies for delivering gold-standard, safe and effective care.

The Trust also opened a new Clinical Research Unit and mobile research bus, bringing cutting-edge trials into the community. The Milk Bank at Chester – England’s largest NHS milk bank – was shortlisted for national awards in sustainability and maternal mental health, and introduced bereavement and education tools which are used across the country.

Vicky Wilson, Interim Chief People Officer, said: 

"Closing our 40th anniversary year with the Long Service Awards is a wonderful way to honour those whose decades of dedication have shaped our main hospital – the Countess of Chester Hospital – to what it is today. Their commitment is at the heart of everything we do. By investing in our people, we’re not only recognising their dedication but acknowledging the role they have and continue to play in providing a service that local people can be proud of, especially as we look towards a brighter future."

Looking ahead, the Trust is excited to build on these successes with the upcoming opening of the new Women and Children’s Building this summer. Following that, a £7.5 million upgrade to the Emergency Department will further enhance urgent care services.

Through ongoing advancements in treatment and facilities, combined with a dedicated team of staff, the Countess of Chester Hospital remains committed to meeting the healthcare needs of the local community, delivering high-quality care now and into the future.

The Countess of Chester Hospital NHS Foundation Trust has three hospitals – The Countess of Chester Hospital, Ellesmere Port Hospital and Tarporley War Memorial Hospital – and provides services to 445,000 people a year from West Cheshire, Ellesmere Port, Neston and north Wales. Emergency care is provided to over 200 patients a day across the Emergency Department, Same Day Emergency Care facility and Urgent Treatment Centre with a dedicated Acute Frailty department to support more vulnerable patients.