High praise for real angels of the north

Community matrons at Oldham PCT HQ - Pride in Oldham nominees. Left to right, Sarah Hince, Ursula Murray - team assistant, Elizabeth Hill, Dawn Thirsk, Sue Mills, Leslie Lyons, Gwyneth Oates, Stephanie Cosgrove. Not on photo, Jane Storer, Lorraine Phillip

Pride In Oldham

A COMMUNITY matron and her team dubbed “the real angels of the north” have been nominated for a special award.

Sue Mills and her colleagues have earned a Pride in Oldham nomination for their limitless support to patients day and night.

The 49-year-old, of Chadderton, works as a community matron for Oldham Primary Care Trust, where she has been for three years.

Her role involves seeing patients with long-term illnesses either at home or in residential care.

Sue has been nursing in Oldham for more than 30 years, starting at the old Royal Infirmary and then Oldham District General Hospital.

She later moved to Marjorie Lees Health Centre, Egerton Street, and then to Springfield House Surgery on Huddersfield Road, before joining her current team.

And Sue wouldn’t have it any other way.

She said: “I love my job and I wouldn’t do anything different. I have always worked and lived in Oldham.”

The mother-of-one, added: “I am really shocked. It’s not something you expect at all. I am so grateful.

“My team is so supportive. It was a new team set up three years ago. They are not just colleagues now but are friends and that makes a big difference.”

Sue was put forward for the award by Meg Thompson, whose mother and aunt were treated by her and the team.

Mrs Thompson said: “They are the real angels of the north when it comes to caring for a sick relative.

“Sue and her team give unlimited support day and night in a caring, tender and dedicated way. They are a credit to Oldham and deserve much praise.”