Our infection control nurse Latchmin Gargee was one of the last of the Windrush generation to arrive in Britain, travelling in 1971 from Trinidad and Tobago to embark on a new nursing career [1/5]
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With no prior training, she had to learn on the job. She remembers how different hospitals were then: patients dressing in suits to visit; every wheel on the hospital beds facing in the same direction. [2/5]
Latchmin started working in theatres and would remember what every instrument was used for, writing it down afterwards so the surgeon wouldn’t need to ask next time. She remembers, "all the surgeons knew you and asked where you’ve been if you were off for a few days." [3/5]
As an enrolled nurse Latchmin wasn't fully qualified to work alone or as the most senior nurse. After finding this out, a consultant she regularly worked with marched her to the nursing school attached to the hospital to sign her up to become a registered nurse. [4/5]
After working in theatres and intensive care for over 20 years, Latchmin joined the infection control team in 2007. She said: "I’ve always been very lucky to work in a welcoming team. I don’t want to stop working!" [5/5]