'I've seen a lot of changes in the NHS since 1971'

Growing up in poverty in Mauritius was a world away from the life Savitri Cameron went on to lead as a nurse in the NHS. As she retires from her role as an advanced nurse practitioner in unplanned care in Bradford, Savitri has been looking back at her 55 years of service.

"I didn't have a clue where I was going," Savitri, now 75, recalls about her arrival in Britain.

After landing at Heathrow in 1971, she asked a stranger the way to Scotland.

"With a lot of direction, I managed to get myself to Glasgow," she smiles.

Aged 20, Savitri started her first role training as a mental health nurse at Dykebar Hospital in Paisley.

Since then, Savitri has gained a wealth of experience, with roles spanning from midwifery to advanced nurse practitioner, from community matron to health visitor.

Sitting in her garden in West Yorkshire, where she now lives, she flicks through two folders full to the brim of qualifications and certificates.

She explains it is hard to come to terms with the fact her career in nursing is drawing to a close.

"I'm very sad and I feel very emotional about it because it's a job I've really loved and devoted my life to. It has been my life," she explains with tears in her eyes.

Savitri moved from Scotland to West Yorkshire in 1983, where she became a ward sister at Wharfedale Hospital in Otley.

During her time there, she says she helped set up multiple initiatives, including developing a carers support group and a blood transfusion unit at the day hospital.

While working full time and raising two children, Savitri graduated with a degree in health and community care management at Leeds Metropolitan University in 1994.

Two years later, she went on to earn a Masters degree in health service studies at the University of Leeds.

"It was a big sacrifice, really," she says.

But being a nurse has also been a lifelong dream for Savitri, whose father worked in a domestic role at a hospital in Mauritius.

"I went to school barefoot until the age of 13. I was humiliated and bullied at school because of my parents' poverty," she says.

Savitri explains how she grew up in a small hut which had a mud floor and straw roof, with her father bringing back discarded cabbage leaves from the hospital kitchen in order to feed the family.

Savitri says that she first came to Britain after seeing a position for nursing training for which she immediately applied.

"When I got the opportunity I ran with it," she says.

She says she is "grateful" to the NHS, and she looks back fondly at her time as a nurse.

Among many memories, a particular highlight that stands out for her is being invited to a garden party at Buckingham Palace in 2000.

"It was like a dream and an achievement," she says.

The Bradford District Care Trust (BDCT), where she was working at the time, put her forward due to her dedication and length of service to the NHS.

"From a mud hut, to Buckingham palace: I would never believe that would happen to me," she says with a big smile.

But helping people has always been in Savitri's nature, so when the Covid-19 pandemic hit, it came as little surprise to those who knew her when she chose to work around the clock to provide extra care.

She went on to work in vaccination centres and on weekends after doing her day-to-day duties as a community matron for BDCT.

"I must've done thousands and thousands of vaccinations. I never got a break. I was working all the time," she chuckles.

Savitri also donated the extra money earned from her work at vaccination centres to the BDCT Better Lives charity.

"I felt that they needed it more than I did," she explains.

Katie Blackburn, operational manager at the BDCT, says Savitri's "commitment, compassion and willingness to go above and beyond for patients is truly admirable".

"She leaves a lasting legacy within our services, and her contribution will continue to inspire those who have had the privilege of working alongside her," she adds.

Savitri explains it will be tough to leave behind the job she loves so much, but she knows it is the right time to retire.

"I thought to myself, all good things must come to an end, Savitri. So it's time for me to go," she says.

"I'm going because I'm on a high."

Savitri says she will always encourage people to take up a career as a nurse.

"Nursing is a very rewarding profession," she says.

"Your devotion and care to patients will mean a lot to them."

"I'm honoured to be part of the NHS. I've seen a lot of changes since 1971," she adds.

"The improvements have been amazing."

Now looking ahead to retirement, Savitri says she is most looking forward to being able to take the time to travel with her husband.

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