'I worked as a West Yorkshire hospital nurse until I was 70 - and never regretted it'
A former nurse has reflected on decades of service as Dewsbury and District Hospital marks its 150th anniversary.
Joyce Hooley worked at the hospital until the age of 70 and devoted decades of her life to caring for patients.
To mark its special year, the hospital is recognising the dedication of colleagues past and present, including Joyce, who trained as a nurse later in life.
She began her training in November 1979 at the age of 40. Her first role was as a State Enrolled Nurse at Batley Hospital, where she started work in January 1982.
When Batley Hospital closed in the late 1980s, Joyce and her colleagues transferred to the newly opened Dewsbury and District Hospital, where she joined the orthopaedic ward, continuing Batley’s legacy as an emergency orthopaedic service.
Joyce, now 84, said she was inspired to train as a nurse by her sister, who encouraged her to take the step.
She said: “I was an auxiliary before, and my sister Jenifer said that if she could do her training, so could I. She encouraged me, and I’ve never regretted it.”
Reflecting on her time at Dewsbury, Joyce recalls fond memories of working in adult day care, which she describes as a supportive, close‑knit team delivering services such as endoscopy.
She also witnessed major changes in healthcare during her career, including the introduction of computer systems and the development of the Boothroyd Centre into a dedicated endoscopy unit, alongside dermatology and ophthalmology services.
“The biggest changes were operational,” Joyce explained. “When computers came in, it was a big adjustment, but it did make things easier compared to having everything written down.”
What made Dewsbury special for Joyce was the teamwork across departments.
“We all worked together – theatre staff, ophthalmology, different departments helping each other. It was a good team.” she said.
One of Joyce’s proudest achievements was completing her nurse training and progressing to a staff nurse grade, something she described as particularly meaningful given she retrained later in life.
As Mid Yorkshire Teaching NHS Trust and MY Hospitals Charity mark this milestone anniversary, Joyce has advice for today’s staff and aspiring nurses:
“I would encourage healthcare support workers to look into training routes where they can earn while they learn. They already have hands-on experience and know how to care for patients.
“Not everyone needs a degree – there are great opportunities to qualify while still working.”
Those inspired by Joyce’s advice can find out more about the different pathways into becoming a registered nurse, from full‑time university study to apprenticeships and progression from healthcare support worker roles.
Further information is available at: www.midyorks.nhs.uk/how-to-become-a-nurse
As part of this year’s celebrations and events, MY Hospitals Charity are collecting 150 stories to be shared on social media and displayed in the hospital later in the year.
If you would like to attend an event or have a story to share about Dewsbury and District Hospital, visit the Charity’s website to complete the online form at www.myhospitalscharity.org/dewsbury-150.