Carol-Abel

One woman in Norfolk has been getting the measure of the county’s community-based NHS staff for more than two decades, but that will soon come to an end as she is set to take a step towards retirement next month.

Carol Abel, 61, is Linen Services Charge Hand at Norfolk Community Health and Care NHS Trust (NCH&C). She is one of the first people many of the community-based NHS Trust’s staff – such as nurses, doctors, and physios – will meet, as she is responsible for making sure they are provided with the correct size uniform.

Working tirelessly behind the scenes, Carol has played a big role in ensuring the Trust’s clinical and support staff are appropriately attired and ready to deliver the very best care to Norfolk’s patients.

Having been sizing up NHS staff for more than 23 years, Carol’s vast experience means she now hardly has use for her tapemeasure. “I’ve been doing this for so long now that I can usually take one look at the member of staff and tell them what size uniform they need,” she said.

Carol also uses her skills at the sewing machine to create custom uniforms for the Trust’s staff, whenever they are needed. “I do sometimes make adjustments if people have lost, or gained, a bit of weight, so their uniforms continue to fit properly.

“More significant changes are made when people are pregnant, as I tend to sew in a couple of extra panels down the side of their tunic. No-one can really tell the difference, but it just gives them a bit more room for their bump and makes them a bit more comfortable.

“It also means that they don’t have to wait for a new, bigger uniform to be delivered, and we don’t have to buy a uniform which may only be useful to them for a few weeks, before being stored until someone else needs it.”

Carol also ensures that the Trust’s staff have access to particular pieces of kit when they need it. “I regularly stitch up slings which may have started to come undone, as I can make them as good as new,” she said. “This means our staff don’t have to order expensive replacements – slings can cost up to £200 each – plus they can be ready for patients to use the next day.”

Carol has been based at Norwich Community Hospital for the last 10 years. Prior to moving there, she was based at Wayland Hospital, in Attleborough, for around 13 years.

However, she expects to soon hang up her sewing kit and tapemeasure, as she is reducing her working hours from July in a step towards retirement. From next month, she plans to work for the Trust for just a couple of days a week, before retiring in the near future.

“I’m looking forward to spending more time at home with my husband who has already retired, though I will miss the social aspect of seeing all the friendly staff as often.

“As one of the first ports of call for new staff, I’ve had the opportunity to meet so many lovely people during my career and I wish them all the very best.”

Ellie ColeAdmin Team Lead, is Carol’s line manager, she added: “Carol has always done a fantastic job for all the staff over a great number of years.

“Her hard work behind the scenes usually goes unsung and unseen, so it is important that we recognise her immense skill and the contribution she has made to help keep our community NHS services running smoothly.”

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www.norfolkcommunityhealthandcare.nhs.uk