It is with mixed emotions that we say goodbye to our colleague, Nichola Bramhall, as she retires after 36 years working in the NHS.
Nichola started her career in 1988 when she trained as a nurse in London and has worked in a variety of roles, including previously working for EMAS as our Deputy Director of Nursing and Quality between 2012 and 2014.
When asked how she feels about her retirement, she said:
“On the one hand, I am very excited about the next chapter in my life, but I am going to miss the incredible people I have worked with.
“I can honestly say that being Director of Quality and Patient Safety for the last four and a half years has been the highlight of my career. I have been constantly impressed by the hard work, dedication, and commitment of all our staff, volunteers, and contractors. I have been proud to see the organisation go from strength to strength in that time, providing compassionate and excellent care to our patients.
“I have been in awe of how our staff have responded to the challenges of the last few years, including the COVID-19 pandemic, Industrial Action, and seemingly ever-increasing demand.
“I’d like to thank my amazing quality team without whom I could not have done my job for the last few years. They have been a constant source of support both professionally and personally.
“It has been my absolute pleasure and privilege to be a part of the EMAS family and it is a period of my life I will look upon often and fondly I have no doubt. I wish everyone at EMAS every happiness and success in the future.
“I will really miss my fabulous colleagues and being a part of something so incredible.”
Chief Executive Richard Henderson said:
“Nichola will be missed greatly for her astute and inspiring leadership, and the support and motivations she provides – quality, safe services, and compassionate care for both patients and staff are absolutely at the heart of what Nichola is about. It is therefore with mixed emotions that we say goodbye – she will be missed, however her retirement is thoroughly deserved and we wish her many happy years.”
Nicola plans to spend the first few years of her retirement doing some well-deserved travelling. We asked her what her plans are:
“A weekend at the Christmas markets in Prague this December. A visit to The Gambia with my family to spread some of my dad’s ashes (it was his absolute favourite place to holiday). I’m going to have my own Shirley Valentine moment with a month-long island-hopping trip to Greece in May/June.
“I went straight from college to nurse training, then into full time work doing my degree. I missed out on a gap year, so I plan to have it now. I also have a trip to Venice returning via Paris on the Orient Express and finally an Asian cruise taking in Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam, and Hong Kong in November 2024.
“When I’ve got the travel bug out of my system, I plan to look into local volunteering opportunities and then perhaps when I get itchy feet again, combine this with foreign travel.
“I’m planning on having a complete departure from health care so plan to look at opportunities involving animal welfare and/or conservation.”
We wish Nichola all the best in her retirement and thank her for all her dedication and compassion over the past 36 years.
Following successful interview, when formal appointment checks have been completed, EMAS will be able to announce who will be joining the service as the new Director of Quality Improvement and Patient Safety.