A CAREER in caring for people with learning disabilities which has spanned 37 years comes to an end this month with the retirement of Tom McLean.
Mr McLean retires as executive director, nurse adviser and director of practice development at Calderstones Hospital.
His career began in September 1959, when, at the age of 22, he became a student nurse at Cell Barnes Hospital in St Albans.
After qualifying, Mr McLean took jobs in several different parts of the country until his appointment in 1972 as principal nursing officer at Calderstones.
His services to people with learning disabilities earned him an MBE in 1981 and he gained further recognition in 1992 when made an Honorary Fellow of the University of Lancashire. Mr McLean will say goodbye officially on September 30 but is looking forward to undertaking advisory and development work.
He said: "The work developing around the genuine and relevant involvement of people with learning disabilities, in decision-making about aspects of their lives and the provision of services designed for individuals is very exciting.
Mr McLean's colleagues and friends will be joining him for a retirement party at Calderstones on September 27.
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