Chief Pharmacy Technician Joyce Higgins has a long affinity with Monklands – she was born on the site and spent over four decades working at the hospital.
A large group of staff gathered to farewell Joyce, who has retired after 45 years’ NHS service in Lanarkshire – 43 of them at the Airdrie hospital.
Jonathan Cavan, Head of Pharmacy at University Hospital Monklands, said: “Joyce has seen a lot of change in pharmacy over the years. She has particularly excelled in procurement, especially during the COVID pandemic when she made sure the hospital was well stocked with medicines, which is so important for our patients. She has always recognised there is a person at the end of a request for medication.
“She started her career as a student pharmacy technician at Bellshill Maternity Hospital at the age of 16 in 1979, and qualified as a pharmacy technician in 1981, when she joined the pharmacy team at Monklands Hospital.
“As Chief Pharmacy Technician, Joyce provided professional leadership to pharmacy technicians and led on procurement. Known to many people across NHS Lanarkshire, Joyce is recognised nationally amongst the medicines procurement community.”
Jonathan also praised Joyce’s support for colleagues – and her keen sense of humour.
Joyce, from Chapelhall, said her Monklands connections began when she was born at the Airdrie House Maternity Home Hospital, which formerly stood on the hospital site.
She said: “I’ve stayed in the pharmacy department all this time because I’ve always enjoyed my job. It’s a fulfilling career and I’ve had the chance to work with people who are clever and kind. The joy of the job is that every day is a learning opportunity – and not all careers are like that.
“It will be difficult to leave because I was always thinking about my work. I once woke up during a holiday flight and shouted out a pharmacy order!” she laughed.
“My plans for retirement are to keep busy – gardening and home renovations to start with, as well as shopping trips with my sister Elenor and keeping up with friends.”
Joyce won’t be cutting her ties with Monklands entirely as she’ll return two days a week to pass on her knowledge and experience to her successor and to support project work in pharmacy.
