'The NHS is in my blood': Retired mental health nurse from Norwich returns to frontline during pandemic

  • Anglia

A retired mental health nurse is returning to the frontline with Norfolk and Suffolk Foundation Trust.

Sue Clarkson retired last year after more than 40 years in the NHS.

Sue says she "just couldn't stand by and watch", while her former colleagues tackled the coronavirus pandemic.

Sue is likely to be triaging calls and offering reassurance, signposting and advice over the phone Credit: ITV Anglia

Sue said she knew she had to help as soon as she heard the NHS was appealing for retired staff to return to practice.

She is now preparing for a reunion with former colleagues at Mary Chapman House in Norwich, where she will work as an assistant practitioner with the Children, Families and Young People’s Service for at least three months.

“The NHS is under immense pressure at the moment and staff across the board are working really hard,” said Sue.

“I found it horrible to just stand by and watch with all the talk of shortages on the news, so as soon as I received a letter inviting me back, I knew I had to do my bit to help.

“I am relieved that I am able to play my part as the NHS is in my blood. I’m looking forward to it, although it will also be a challenge for me.

“When I retired I said I’d write a book about being a psychiatric nurse since 1975. I’ve got to chapter four so far but think I’ll have to put the rest of it on hold until after the pandemic has ended. Who knows, it might even make its own chapter!”