Nurses celebrate four decades of working together

Jackie Matthews (R) and Gill Marshall have been friends and colleagues since "day one"

Two nurses who first met in 1985 are celebrating almost 40 years of being friends and colleagues.

Jackie Matthews, a clinical neonatal sister, and Gill Marshall, a children's continuing care nurse co-ordinator, work at Kent's Medway Maritime Hospital.

The pair received long-service awards during a ceremony for staff who have completed continuous service with the hospital.

Ms Marshall said became friends with Ms Matthews from "day one".

"When she qualified I was so proud of her that I went bought her a badge that said ‘Jackie Matthews Staff Nurse’ on it," she said.

Ms Matthews, 60, from Sittingbourne, had contemplated becoming a nun before turning to nursing.

"But then I met my boyfriend, Neil, who went on to become my husband, so nursing it was,” she explained.

'Amazing friends'

Ms Marshall, 57, from Rainham, turned to a nursing profession when her grandfather was being cared for on a ward at the hospital.

She said: "When I went to visit him he said to me, ’I reckon you’d be good at this’, and that’s when my interest in nursing began.”

She said she has "enjoyed every minute" of her career.

"Just like I’ve enjoyed mine and Jackie’s friendship.”

Ms Mathews said: “I’m so proud to be a neonatal nurse and I feel very privileged to have looked after so many babies and their families during my career.

"I wouldn’t have wanted to have spent my years working for the NHS anywhere else. I’ve met some lovely people along the way and made some amazing friends, including Gill.”