Publish date: 3 May 2025
Meet the team in Berwick - Anna Wood
I have worked at Berwick Infirmary since 1987.
Brief career history?
I first trained as a registered general nurse in Newcastle and after qualifying I worked on the cardiothoracic unit at the Freeman. After getting married, I moved to Berwick and started my journey at the infirmary on the medical ward (Richardson ward). Over the next few years, I spent time working in different departments, including covering maternity leave on the surgical/medical ward at Alnwick Infirmary.
When my children were little, I took on a role working nights in a local nursing home and on my return to the infirmary, I became a staff nurse on the care of the elderly ward. I progressed to a department manager in the day hospital and supported the service to introduce ambulatory care and medical day case services which has continued to expand within the hospital.
I moved back to the care of the elderly ward where I became ward manager. I am a Modern Matron covering Berwick Infirmary however in the past I have worked in this role covering Alnwick and Rothbury,
Why do you love working in Berwick?
I am very proud of the staff and have worked with many of them for years now. As we’re all local, we all strive to support our community in providing the best possible care. The staff are very supportive of their community hospital and support each other. I am very proud of them; over the past few years they have strived to provide the best service e they can while are new hospital is being built around them. Departments have moved and some off site for a period of time to support the demolition work and the team have worked hard pulling together with some staff moving to ensure that patients treatment continues.
Can you share a couple of fond memories of working in the infirmary over the years?
I used to look over the wall from my great aunt’s garden and watch the then Dewar ward, and formerly ward 1, being built. I would have only been three or four at the time so I never imagined that I would be matron one day.
As a lot of the staff have worked together for many years, there’s a lot of camaraderie between us. When covid first hit, the team pulled together to source and install unused theatre sinks to use as handwashing stations at the entrance to the hospital before the permanent sinks had arrived.
How do you feel seeing the new hospital being built?
I’m very excited for the new hospital, it’s been a long time coming and we need this in order to move forward with how we deliver healthcare but it’s bittersweet as the old build has served the town well since the late 1800s’. It feels like the end of an era, but healthcare has changed over the years and an old building brings challenges when it comes to delivering care.
How will the new hospital improve your role?
I will get my steps in as the footfall has increased however it will be great to have maternity, district nursing, day surgery and a GP practice, on site as we will become a community hub with us all working together.
How do you think the new hospital will improve patient care/experience?
As it’s a new build, it will be modern, spacious and airy, more services will be available, day surgery will be brought back to the local area as well as more outpatient clinics. Although the temporary ward is lovely, the new ward will have nice views, a new dayroom, an outside space for patients and relatives to sit and a family room to support inpatients.
Where were you born, where do you live and what do you do to relax?
I was born in Berwick, and I live here. I value quality time with my family and friends and being able to take my dog for walks.