Colleagues paid a fond farewell to Jim Murray, service manager, children’s services, paediatrics and child and adolescent mental health services (CAMHS), who retired in August after a remarkable 37 years’ service.
Jim began his career with NHS Lanarkshire in 1984 when he was appointed as a nursing assistant based at Hartwood Hospital. Following training, Jim became a staff nurse/deputy charge nurse before being promoted to charge nurse with the acute admission unit at Hartwoodhill Hospital.
Following a spell with the Motherwell community mental health team and old age psychiatry acute assessment units at Law Hospital, Colville ward and Airbles Road, Jim took on the role of senior nurse/practice development co-ordinator with old age psychiatry.
In 2004, Jim became the clinical development manager for the department of old age psychiatry on a Lanarkshire-wide basis and, in 2006, took on the role as service development manager for public health Motherwell locality and old age psychiatry wards.
In 2010, Jim was appointed as service manager for CAMHS and paediatrics, initially based at Cleland Hospital then University Hospital Wishaw and latterly, in 2017, the Houldsworth Centre where he remained until his retirement.
Originally from Shotts, Jim lives in Newarthill with Karen, his wife of 30 years. They have two grown-up children, Chris and Hannah, and a granddaughter Ella (aged four).
In his spare time, Jim enjoys cycling, DIY and reading philosophy.
Duncan Clark, clinical director, CAMHS said: “I’d personally like to say a huge thank you to Jim for his 37 plus years’ service to the patients and families of Lanarkshire, on behalf of the services he recently managed and on behalf of all those colleagues and friends he has worked with over the years.
“I have had the privilege to work with Jim since 2010 when he became service manager for CAMHS and paediatrics. Jim has worked tirelessly over the years to support staff and colleagues and for the betterment of service users. He has always set himself and achieved the highest standards of professionalism, care, compassion and composure under pressure.
“He has left many friends in NHS Lanarkshire and takes up his retirement with the greatest respect of those colleagues over the years. I know I will miss him greatly, but wish him every happiness in his next phase of life’s journey.”
