It's 50 not out for Christine but she has no desire to retire just yet

A 50-year career in healthcare could have been so different for Christine Morrell had it not been for a convenient bus stop and some sound advice from her father.

Having started her first NHS role aged 16, she is eligible for retirement but has plenty of things left on her to-do list before calling it a day.

Christine is now Swansea Bay’s Executive Director of Therapies and Health Science, with 43 years of her half-century of service coming with what is now Swansea Bay University Health Board and the remaining seven spent working on healthcare-related subjects in Welsh Government.

During that time she has had to adjust to a major new hospital, experience evolving digital developments, the advancement of medicine and a worldwide pandemic.

PICTURED: Christine Morrell started working for the NHS in August 1974.

Yet a passion for learning, listening and sharing the knowledge gained in the past five decades means Christine has no plans to call it a day just yet.

But her career path could have panned out very differently had it not been for a mixture of chance and some parental guidance.

Christine, who grew up in Kenfig Hill, said: “I was 16 and could leave school and my family needed me to earn a wage.

“I was advised by my dad to get a job where I could continue education with my employer, but I also needed a job I could get to by bus, and the bus stop was near my house.

“It was as simple as that.”

After achieving good grades in her O-Levels she had two interviews – one for the NHS and another in a bank.

While her wisdom of mathematics led to the latter, her interest in science emerged as she started her first job as a junior laboratory technician in Bridgend.

It proved a wise choice. From day one, the seeds were sown for a long association with the NHS.

Christine recalled: “I vividly remember my first day. Aside from working in an ice cream shop in Porthcawl all summer, this was my first proper job.

“My colleagues were very welcoming but it was so daunting as everyone was so clever and committed to their jobs. It was very interesting at the same time, so it was a mixture of feelings.”

PICTURED: Christine and colleagues from the early part of her career.

Christine would spend the next 36 years in the NHS with the Bro Morgannwg Trust before it merged with Swansea to become the Abertawe Bro Morgannwg University NHS Trust.

Her career trajectory saw her become a Specialist Biomedical Scientist before becoming Pathology General Manager.

She broadened her horizons during a seven-year stint with Welsh Government, taking in roles as deputy and interim Chief Scientific Adviser where she would work with all health boards in Wales.

But the lure of Swansea Bay saw Christine return in 2017 as Executive Director of Therapies and Health Science – a role she still holds today.

Her responsibilities are vast.

She ensures the health board makes a significant contribution to health improvement, reduces health inequalities and improves quality of health care provision.

Within that framework she oversees therapy and health science services including areas like fertility and mortuary, as well as volunteering, lymphoedema network, patient safety and compliance along with regional pathology development.

But what has kept her in this line of work for so long?

Christine said: “I love that in the NHS we really are a team and are passionate about helping people. Our patients are our family, friends and community.

“Within the workforce, it really feels like a family and community. It certainly is the case for me, particularly as one of my daughters – Beth Burnett – works in mental health and learning disabilities within Swansea Bay.

PICTURED: Christine has received a long service award from the health board, but has no plans to retire just yet.

“I work with a very diverse group of professions across Therapies and Health Science and each are highly skilled and make a huge contribution to patient care. Their reach is across all pathways and across all parts of the life course and I am yet to identify a service that is not touched by them, I am constantly in awe of the services people work in and develop and the care and compassion they show. I learn something new most weeks.

“Many services are directly interacting and supporting patients on a daily basis while others are working in highly scientific roles ensuring that patients get the diagnosis and treatments that are right for them.

“But the industry has changed a lot too throughout the decades.

“Technology and digital have changed the nature of jobs a lot. When I started in the labs, it was manual science - some of the techniques I used in school were still being used. A bunsen burner welcomed me on my first day!

“As time has gone on there is more technology, automation and great leaps in understanding.

“I oversaw the switch from Bridgend General Hospital to the Princess of Wales Hospital, which was a major upgrade back then, but also a big operation in terms of moving everything without impacting patient care. Alongside that move came the introduction of a computer system, which was a game changer.

“And, of course, Covid had the biggest impact of all. It was the unknown for us all.

“But what that did was serve as another reminder that we have good people in the NHS – people who really care.

“I had senior staff come to me offering their help in any way possible because they couldn’t do their role due to Covid. One of our senior scientists was helping with portering, many allied health professionals were supporting on wards and some ran field hospitals because it was what was needed at that time.

PICTURED: Christine divides her time across the health board's HQ in Baglan and main hospital sites.

“That gives an insight into the passion of people in the NHS – we’ll do whatever we can to keep the services running for patients.”

Now 66, Christine talks with the enthusiasm and excitement of her 16-year-old self when looking to the future.

“The retirement word has come up,” she said. “But there’s so much to achieve before I do that.

“I know certain things won’t be achievable because of the timeframe, but improving people and our services is something that drives me on.

“When you see the impact that your work has on people – patients and staff – then that is a real thrill. Yes, I could be sat at home with my feet up or doing a hobby, but work motivates me and keeps me focussed.

“I recently had a long service award from the health board due to my 40-plus years’ service, and I was delighted with that.

“But I’m not done quite yet – I’ve told my colleagues they’ll have to put up with me for a bit longer!”