Sheila has worked for 42 years for NHS Borders and its predecessor, Borders Health Board, and has always been committed to delivering a very high standard of nursing care for patients in many areas of the hospital.

These areas include haematology, diabetology, gastroenterology, respiratory medicine, haemodialysis and, over the last few years, care of the elderly as well.

Sheila initially worked at Peel Hospital until 1988, with the opening of the Borders General Hospital in Melrose. She played an instrumental and key role in ensuring smooth transition of patients from Peel Hospital to the new environment.

Her career has progressed from staff nurse to ward sister on day and night duty, nurse manager, nursing service manager and directorate manager, changing her roles in light of the changing needs of the service.

Among her achievements have been the development of new Hospital at Night nurse practitioners; the development of specialist nurses within diabetes, respiratory, gastroenterology and oncology; and she was instrumental in the development of the haemodialysis service as a satellite from the Royal Infirmary in Edinburgh. Sheila was also involved in the recent development of a stroke unit at BGH; and she led the proposal and development of a nurse endoscopist. Sheila has worked with many people both within and outwith the health service, including social work, voluntary agencies, the police and ambulance service.

She is recognised by all as an extremely professional and highly dedicated senior nurse.

Her retirement from the nursing staff of NHS Borders leaves a big gap for all staff, patients, nursing services, the hospital and NHS Borders.