Celebrating four decades of dedicated service is switchboard operator Moira Calnon – the first voice many callers to East Surrey Hospital hear.
The 61 year old from Bewbush in Crawley fell into her career by chance after someone heard her answer a phone and thought she sounded great.
Moira went off to Fleet Street in London for her training before returning to the old Redhill General Hospital and a plug switchboard in the porters lodge. She moved to East Surrey Hospital 30 years ago and spent the first 6 months setting up the switchboard at the newly built hospital.
“There have been a lot of changes over the years, it’s all computerized today and much quicker” she said, and added: “I love my job. I am quite shy but when I am talking on the phone it’s easier and it’s really nice to be able to help people.”
For the last 25 years Moira has been on night shifts at the hospital which is run by Surrey & Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust. She said: “It’s always interesting because you never know what someone on the end of the phone will ask you. It really is a very worthwhile and interesting job.”
