A theatre nurse who started his training at the Freeman Hospital – on the very same day the first patient was admitted – has finally hung up his scrubs after 44 years’ service.
Terry Mason began his nurse training on the 3rd October 1977 and his first job once qualified was in cardiothoracic theatres.
At that time there were only three surgical specialties in central operating – cardiothoracic, orthopaedics and urology – and staff rotated in each area.
He moved to urology where he met Wendy – his wife of 37 years – when she started in urology theatres on placement as a student. They married and have two children Christopher and Emma.
Around 1986 Terry left urology for anaesthetics and he’s been there ever since.
In 1992 when Newcastle’s pioneering liver transplant programme started, Terry was one of the UK’s very first anaesthetic practitioners to be trained in the use of the veno-veno bypass machine – a skill that remains integral to liver transplantation at Freeman Hospital today.
Lisa Gascoigne, Senior Operating Department practitioner and Anaesthetic lead says “Terry walked through the doors of the Freeman Hospital with the first patient in 1977. He’s witnessed all the change and expansion over the years since and has remained a constant presence.
“His dedication to the Trust, his patients and his colleagues, friends has continued throughout his 44 years. We will miss him dearly – here’s to a long, happy retirement.”
