A TRIO of hard-working colleagues who look after hospital buildings in Barrow and beyond have clocked up more than a century of work between them.

The £12 million South Lakes Birth Centre at Furness General Hospital is among the hundreds of projects Andy Waddington has been involved with during his 39-year career.

"As a job you don't get any better," said the capital services manager for the University

Hospitals of Morecambe Bay NHS Foundation Trust.

"The relocation of the old Ulverston hospital services to FGH was one of my favourite projects as it was my first big project and I learned a lot. I also really enjoyed my involvement in South Lakes Birth Centre, as working with families affected by what happened at FGH was really rewarding and showed how committed the trust was to making things right.”

Expectant mums moved into the new centre's 14 en-suite birthing rooms in February 2018. Taking 15 months to build, the bright, light and airy building officially opened on Valentine's Day, when it was hailed as a "lasting legacy" and "the start of a new beginning" for Barrow's maternity services after past tragedies.

The Morecambe Bay hospitals trust is sharing stories of long-serving staff as part of its celebrations to mark 70 years of the NHS and the trust's own 20th anniversary.

Andy Waddington's 39 years have seen him work on an average 25 projects a year for the past two decades. He oversees the trust's capital plan alongside a nine-strong design team, and said: "The NHS gave me the opportunity to achieve a full and rewarding career. Added to that I have a team who give 100 per cent and I am proud to call them friends as well as colleagues."

Meanwhile, fellow trust staff Ian Ferguson, project lead, and Mark Hampton, capital projects lead, have clocked up 36 years and 28 years respectively.

Mark said: “I’ve seen many changes in our hospitals over the years and am proud to be part of great team that’s developing our estate in meeting the challenges of modern healthcare.

“I’m particularly proud of the achievements in building up our property drawing and information system that supports the day-to-day running of our trust’s buildings and infrastructure.”

Ian added: “I started as an apprentice engineer in the maintenance department which was then the Lancashire Area Health Authority in July 1982 where I first met Andy. In 1989 we both transferred to capital services where we’ve worked together ever since, I’ve seen many changes and developed numerous schemes over the

years.

“I have thoroughly enjoyed my years working for the trust with such a fantastic capital services team – I couldn’t think of a better job or a better organisation to work for."