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Top Wolverhampton nurse Cheryl retires after 38 years

Tributes have been paid to a top nurse – credited with helping to raise standards at a hospital trust – who is retiring after almost four decades in the job.

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Dr Cheryl Etches

Dr Cheryl Etches rose from being a general ward nurse to becoming chief nurse and deputy chief executive at The Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust.

During her 38 years at the trust, she has been at the forefront of innovation with projects involving dementia care and infection control.

Her hygiene tracking system involving the trust's 4,000 staff was praised within the medical profession. The trust still holds a record for the longest period without an MRSA break-out.

Chief executive David Loughton said: "Cheryl joined the trust at a time when the organisation was going through a challenging period. Since she joined we have gone from strength to strength and that is particularly down to Cheryl.

"Her work in regards to infection prevention has been tremendous and we owe her a great deal."

Dr Etches, who was chief nurse for 13 years, said: "It has always been the people and leaders that have kept me at this trust. They are amazing.

"We are way ahead of the curve most of the time and I am very proud to finish my NHS career working here. What we have achieved is down to the team here.

"I am proud of the legacy I am handing over to the new chief nurse Ann-Marie Cannaby, who will have a great foundation on which to build."

She was presented with gifts by friends and colleagues at a retirement celebration.Professor Cannaby will join the trust as the new chief nurse on Tuesday(3).