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In an extraordinary joint milestone, two members of the critical care team at Peterborough City Hospital, Critical Care Sisters Marie Caston and Ros Rippon, were recently awarded their 40-year long service awards. This incredible achievement, celebrated on August 8, represents a combined 80 years of dedication to patient care and a lifelong friendship.  

Marie and Ros's journey began in 1985 when they lived across from each other in the nurses' home while training in different cohorts. Marie even recalls that Live Aid was on during one of her first days on the ward! They became close after reuniting again in what was then the Intensive Care team, a moment that marked the beginning of their enduring friendship.  

Picture Caption: Marie (1) and Ros (2) in newspaper article from around 1990 about the ICU

Over their four decades of service, they continued to work together and spent a lot of time together outside of work - their children are close and even their birthdays are just two days apart! The pair became so inseparable that people would often mix them up. "They’d get our names mixed up all the time and only believed there were two of us once they saw us together!" Marie said. Their friendship and mutual support has been a constant throughout their 40 year careers, which included the opening of Peterborough City Hospital and the Covid-19 pandemic: as Marie simply puts it, "We’ve done that a lot, haven’t we Ros."

After retiring on the same day, they both even returned to their posts at the same time - after just a 24 hour break!  

Picture Caption: Ros and Marie in site visit to PCH before it opened to the public

Reflecting on their long careers, both nurses have witnessed incredible changes in medical technology and patient care. "The sedation, equipment, and well, everything has changed!" Ros said. "The care is much more specialised, and we now have 24-hour critical care consultants, whereas before it might have been a theatre consultant. More specialist care is available now, which is better." Marie echoed this, citing the vast improvements in technology, like moving from using gas-powered bellows to now having amazing high-tech ventilators.  

"Every day is different, and there is always something to smile and laugh about," Ros explained, when asked what has kept her passionate about her job for such a long period. "We’ve been able to build a work family and have felt like part of a team." For Marie, the answer is simple: "Patients. Patients definitely. And all of the people we’ve met - we're still in touch with the staff we’ve worked with over the years."

Picture Caption: Ros and Marie at Critical Care staff base

The pair also shared their great admiration for the next generation of critical care nurses, noting their immense knowledge and work ethic. "The new nurses are amazing - they know so much and do so much work. The pressure they are under is immense". They also offered some advice for those just starting: "It can often be really difficult, and you might not love it straight away, but if you stick it out it can be incredibly rewarding. And now there is a lot more support that is available - so really do make the most of it. Speak to the seniors and educators, PNAs and draw on their advice, experience and support."  

The presentation of their long service awards by our Chair, Professor Steve Barnett OBE, was particularly meaningful as they were presented in the recently opened Critical Care Staff Garden - a project Ros was inspired to develop after seeing the hard work her colleagues during the pandemic. This peaceful place for staff to decompress, funded by the Friends of Peterborough City Hospital and delivered by North West Anglia Hospital's Charity, is a perfect symbol of Marie and Ros's lasting impact on the hospital community.  

Picture Caption: Ros, Steve and Marie at their 40-year Long Service Award presentation

Thank you and massive congratulations to Marie and Ros. We really appreciate the amazing impact of your dedicated service, and the many lives you’ve touched.