Swansea Bay Medical Biochemist Stephen Merridew has been awarded the BEM (Medallists of the Order of the British Empire) in the King’s New Year’s Honours list.
Stephen, who began his career in November 1978 in the old Bridgend General Hospital, has received the award for his services to the NHS.
Stephen retired as a senior biomedical scientist after 40 year but was re-hired by Swansea Bay in 2018 to take on a new role as specialist training manager. He now teaches groups of postgraduate students who are hoping to follow in his footsteps and enter into a career in medical biochemistry with the NHS.
“I was very surprised when I when I received a letter at the start of December saying I was receiving the BEM,” said Stephen, 65, who lives with his wife Deborah in Nottage, Porthcawl.
“Obviously at that point it was in the strictest confidence, so I’ve been holding on to this information. The only other people who knew were my nominee and my wife. As I speak, I still haven’t managed to tell all my family!
“But it’s wonderful to be acknowledged in this way and it’s really a recognition for all my colleagues over the years, as well.
“I’ve had a fantastic career. It really has been a dream job for me. I was good at science in school and I found medical biochemistry to be the perfect fit for me.
“My wife, Deborah, has also spent her working life as a biomedical scientist so the job brought us together. We used to work the Christmas Day shifts and I’d meet her in the car park as one of our shifts was ending and the other beginning!
“I’ve loved every minute of it. There have been tough times, like in any other line of work, but it has always felt like every day, there’s a new challenge to take on.”
Stephen largely teaches his students online and while based at Morriston Hospital, does much of his work nowadays from an office at the Princess of Wales Hospital in Bridgend, which is a more convenient commute.
“I’m currently teaching a group of 21 students, two days a week,” he added.
“After retiring, I was asked if I’d like to pass on some of my experience to a new generation and it’s really rewarding. I’m teaching some very open-minded, bright students who want to learn, which is wonderful.
“I always say a career in the NHS is a lifelong career, if you want it to be. It’s still a very rewarding career. I tell my students I was in this line of work not when they were at school, but when their parents were at school! The fact I can look back on my career and know I’ve enjoyed it so much is proof that it’s a great career choice.”
Stephen is now awaiting details regarding when he will receive his BEM.
He added: “The BEM is actually awarded locally, so I’ll be receiving it from the Lord Lieutenant of Glamorgan, probably at City Hall in Cardiff.
“But there’s also a Buckingham Palace Garden Party in the summer. That should be a wonderful occasion for myself and my wife to look forward to.”
