A former seamstress who switched careers to follow her dreams of nursing is toasting success after landing a top job with responsibility for 39 hospitals.
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Linda Jones has risen through the ranks at Spire Yale Hospital in Wrexham to be appointed National Matron for the private healthcare group covering its hospitals throughout the UK.
It represents a rapid rise to success for the 45-year-old mum-of-one who is currently Spire Yale and Abergele’s Consulting Rooms Matron and Registered Manager, a position she has held for the past six years.
Linda, from Marchwiel near Wrexham, starts her new position on September 1 which will involve travelling the length and breadth of the country visiting all of Spire’s 39 healthcare facilities.
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When she’s not on the road, she will be based at Dorset Rise in London although much of her time will be spent working from her home office.
“I’m really looking forward to the challenge and feel ready for something new,” said the former Ysgol Bryn Alyn pupil.
“I’m very proud of Spire Yale and Abergele Consulting Rooms. We’ve done a fantastic job at both sites and I have the joy of very engaged staff who make my job so much easier.
“I cannot thank my colleagues enough for the years of support they’ve given me. It’s been a real pleasure to work alongside them and I will miss them all very much however I’m still part of Spire Healthcare and I’m sure we’ll see each other in my new role.”
Linda, whose husband Peter, 48, works as a hospital porter at Spire Yale, trained as a seamstress and made clothing for Laura Ashley in Gresford, Wrexham, prior to embarking on a nursing career.
When her daughter started school, she decided to follow her dreams of nursing and was appointed the role of assistant technical officer in the operating theatre at the Wrexham Maelor Hospital before getting a job as a healthcare assistant at Spire Yale in 2000.
Linda juggled hospital shifts with studying as she completed a nursing degree at Bangor University. After qualifying she progressed through a series of posts at Spire Yale including junior staff nurse, senior staff nurse, sister, ward manager and clinical lead before being appointed hospital matron and registered manager.
“I’m now in charge of all the clinical departments of the hospital which basically means ensuring we maintain clinical standards and outcomes,” said Linda, whose daughter is now 26.
“As registered manager, it’s also my job to ensure we meet regulatory standards for Healthcare Inspectorate Wales. It’s demanding and challenging but very rewarding.”
Linda puts her success down to the support she has received within Spire Yale to develop professionally and build on her existing skills through advanced training.
“I really love working across both sites. Staff morale is really high,” she said.
“You only have to look at what I’ve managed to achieve at Spire Yale to see how much support is given to staff and the standard of professional development on offer. Our training opportunities are fantastic.
“We have the Spire For You reward scheme to recognise employees who go the extra mile. It’s nice to say thank you but equally nice to receive recognition. This is all part of making employees feel valued and encouraging them to progress.”
Congratulating Linda on her success, Sue Jones, hospital director at Spire Yale, said:
“We’re all so proud of Linda for her achievement and wish her the very best of luck in her new role. Linda has invested so much dedication and commitment into her work at Spire Yale and we have benefitted greatly from her skills and leadership.
“I have every confidence Linda will bring these attributes and many more to her national responsibilities and will continue to push the boundaries of excellence across our facilities. We will be sad to see her leave but wish her all the best for the future.”
Linda will be joined in her new role by a second National Matron and the pair will share the workload, which will involve ensuring Spire complies with regulatory standards group-wide.
“I’m really sad to be leaving everyone. I’ve been here a long time and they are like my family but I’m excited for the future.”
