University Hospitals Birmingham (UHB) NHS Trust headquarters office stalwart Sue Harvey has waved goodbye to the NHS after four decades of service.

Sue, aged 62, began her health service career back in January 1975 when, following a stint in the insurance industry and the births of her two daughters, she signed up with the SOS Staff Bureau in Birmingham’s landmark Rotunda building.

For her first assignment she was sent to the now defunct Birmingham Area Health Authority (Teaching) in Alpha Tower on Broad Street, where a year later she was taken on as a permanent member of staff.

“I have seen so many changes over the years and have met some really lovely people along the way,” said Sue, who lives in Quinton with her husband Paul.

When the city’s health services were split up Sue was seconded to South Birmingham Health Authority as personal secretary to the district administrator.

Promotion to general office manager and administrator for legal services followed at Selly Oak Hospital before the move to the new Queen Elizabeth Hospital, where she became office administrator at UHB Trust headquarters.

Computerisation has been the major change during Sue’s career but she believes many modern methods are rooted in the past.

“I’ve actually seen the way some things are done go full circle,” she said. “Something comes along as a new idea and I’ve thought, ‘That was the way we did it years ago’.

“But computers have obviously changed the way we work. When I think back to when I first started in admin, I’d be typing 50 or 60 letters a day on a manual typewriter. I can’t imagine typing one now!

 “I’ve moved sites, moved offices and seen five or six chief executives in my time. Each time there’s a change it’s like having a new role because new people come in with new ideas and different ways of working.

“Many things have happened along the way that resulted in absolute hilarity, which still make me chuckle now. I have always enjoyed it.”

Sue has no doubts what she will remember most as she heads into retirement.

 “When you have been around as long as I have the workplace becomes a little community,” she said. “It’s the people I have enjoyed seeing every day who have made it special for me and it will be those that I will miss the most.”

Sue marked her retirement with a night out in Quinton with friends and Trust chair Jacqui Smith made a short presentation on her final day.

Plans for the future include sorting out her garden and spending more time with daughters Donna and Paula and her four grandchildren. She also has holidays booked to Majorca and the Algarve and is also hoping to fit in a cruise.

 “It doesn’t feel real at the moment,” she added. “It feels like I’m going on annual leave. But now is the right time for me to say goodbye and look forward to spending some quality time with my husband, who has been patiently waiting for this time to come.”