Shelagh shares her NHS memories

Shelagh Meldrum, Chief Nursing Officer, NHS Somerset talks about her journey into nursing.

I have loved nursing since the first day of my training. My career in health has spanned several roles both nursing and non-nursing but being a nurse has kept me focussed on what we are here for – to care for people.

Since I began my nurse training in 1987, going on to work as a senior nurse in acute medicine before becoming a specialist nurse in neurology and then into executive director roles – I have seen many changes both from a medical as well as a technological perspective, all of which seek to improve the care and treatment we provide and the outcomes for those who use our services.

I am incredibly proud to have spent 22 years working for such a wonderful British institution, one which is by our side during the most profound moments in our lives and at its heart, is driven by one collective ambition – to care for patients.