Nurse Linda bows out after 30 years caring for children in Highland capital
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A NURSE who has worked for 30 years in the Highland community has retired.
For 27 years of this long and distinguished service Linda Taylor has been a stalwart of The Orchard residential and respite unit in Inverness, caring for children and young people affected by severe and complex disabilities.
In fact it could be said Linda went in with the bricks of the Broom Drive centre having worked there ever since it opened.
And it seemed appropriate that Linda marked her 27 years service there with a dinner party for 27 friends, family and colleagues in No 27 Bar and Restaurant on January 27.
Linda (61) is especially proud that her grand-daughter Abby (18) is following her into the caring profession and is a support worker with SNAP (Special Needs Action Project) for children and young adults in the city.
As well as providing residential care, The Orchard provides a high quality short break service to families caring in the community for children and young people.
Shirley Jack, intervention and prevention at The Orchard said: “Throughout Linda’s career as a staff nurse caring for children and young people affected by disabilities, she has made a profound impact on the young people and their families/carers with whom she has worked.
“Her commitment, understanding and empathy supports children and young people to feel comfortable and heard. Her sense of humour and warm nature ensured a positive impact on children and staff alike.
“She will be very much missed by the children and young people and her colleagues.”
Linda said: “It was a rewarding career though of course difficult at times, but I feel it was an honour to do that job.
“It is great to see some of the young people progress to adult services or to college, and the families really appreciate what The Orchard does for them.”
She added: “I was given a great send off party and No 27 did us proud.”
Originally from Fraserburgh, Linda came to Inverness working in the hospitality trade until 1987 when she took a one year health studies course at Inverness College.
The next year she became a student nurse, qualifying as a staff nurse in 1993 from Inverness Nursing College. Initially she cared for children at the former Craig Phadrig Hospital before moving to The Orchard in 1995.
The Orchard is run by Highland Council with NHS input, in a community setting which is part of the council’s Integrated Children’s Service Provision.
