After 49 years’ service Palliative Care Clinical Nurse Specialist Sue Plant is retiring today and looking forward to a well-deserved rest.

Sue started as a cadet in Walsall General Hospital when she was 16. She is dual trained in midwifery and nursing. She became a medical sister, then district nurse and has worked at Compton Hospice, New Cross Hospital’s palliative care team and Walsall Healthcare’s community palliative care team before coming back to the Manor Hospital in her current role.

Her family works at Walsall Healthcare NHS Trust too: husband Colin Plant, son Aiden Plant and son-in-law Stefano Oggiano.

The grandmother-of-two said: “The highlight of my career has definitely been working with good colleagues; I have really loved the team approach and believe that a great team makes such a difference in your job.”

When asked what she will miss the most Sue, aged 64, said: “I will miss all of my colleagues and everyone I have met along the way.”

Her colleagues describe her as “a fountain of knowledge” and said:

“We will miss Sue so much. There is nothing she doesn’t know (except computers!) She has always been there for us and patients and we thank her for all her knowledge and support and wish her the best of luck.”

During her retirement she will be enjoying a few weekends away and will be sorting out her garden.