Tommy retires after almost 40 years

Tommy Douglas has been a Porter at Doncaster Royal Infirmary for just over 39 years but will soon be hanging up his boots.

Helping patients, staff and visitors alike for four decades, Tommy was also part of a campaign to celebrate NHS staff in 1988 to mark the 40th birthday of the health service. His life-sized photo was displayed around the hospital and in the Frenchgate Centre in Doncaster.

Speaking about his brief stint as a health service model, Tommy said: “I remember my sister-in-law trying to speak to my cut out in the Frenchgate!”

With almost half a century of fond memories working at the Trust, the Porter added: “I’ve enjoyed working with all the people I’ve worked with. We’ve had fun over the years and the camaraderie is brilliant. When I first started we were responsible for doing security on site as well so we really had to stick together.”

Tommy is planning to keep himself active in retirement and will spend his extra free-time clay pigeon shooting and fishing for carp.

On behalf of every one at Doncaster and Bassetlaw Teaching Hospitals, we’d like to thank Tommy for all the hard work he’s put in over the last 40 years, dedicating his time to ensuring patients in Doncaster get the best possible care.