Congratulations go to Helen Latta who recently retired from NHS Lanarkshire in her 50th year of service. Helen, a registered nurse with the specialist palliative care team at University Hospital Monklands, began her career in June 1976 as an auxiliary nurse at St Mary’s Hospital in Lanark, followed by a move to William Smellie Maternity in 1978. Later that year, she began enrolled nurse training at Stonehouse Hospital, where she worked until 1998.
Helen moved to University Hospital Monklands, serving from 1998 to 2009, before taking up the role of Macmillan development nurse from 2009 to 2010, subsequently returning to University Hospital Monklands where she remained until 2013.
Between 2013 and 2016, Helen was a Macmillan clinical nurse specialist.
Helen retired in 2016, however, she returned later that year to practice as a staff nurse with the specialist palliative care team at University Hospital Monklands where she remained until her retirement.
Helen said: “I’ve seen many changes during my time in Lanarkshire. Throughout my career, I’ve been supported by my husband Tommy, son Chris, daughter Sarah and granddaughter Margot. I’m looking forward to officially retiring and being able to spend more time with my family”.
Lesley Thomson, Nurse Director, South Lanarkshire Health & Social Care Partnership, said: “Helen’s dedication to person-centred, compassionate palliative care has been evident throughout her career, highlighted by that fact that she also worked as a Marie Curie nurse supporting patients and their families overnight in their own homes.
“Helen’s sustained commitment across multiple services, roles and care settings demonstrates a longstanding contribution to nursing within Lanarkshire having worked within acute, community and specialist palliative care environments”.
Lesley added: “I’d like to acknowledge Helen’s long service and her dedication over the past five decades. Everyone in the specialist palliative care team wishes Helen a happy retirement”.
