These three Kingston Hospital staff members have looked after patients in the NHS for 40 years, and are the latest to be recognised for their long service.

  • Faridah 'Freddy' Abu Bakar

This nurse and midwife has been at Kingston Hospital since 1986, and bosses said her stamina, working both day and night shifts, puts junior staff to shame.

They added: " If anyone can get a baby to breast feed Freddy can. Having a consistent, experienced midwife on these areas has been beneficial to both the junior staff and women alike."

Miss Abu Bakar will retire in August this year.

  • Anne Boatman

A trained midwife, Miss Boatman is now Kingston Hospital's named nurse for child protection and advises staff on safeguarding.

She joined the hospital in 1980, after beginning her career at St Thomas' Hospital as a nursery nurse. She retrained as a midwife four years later.

Bosses said: "Anne is a real asset to the team and the Hospital. She has a very calm, professional, caring and compassionate manner."

  • Dr Robin McNabb

This former rugby player specialises in caring for elderly patients and those who have suffered strokes - even setting up the hospital's stroke unit. He has been a consultant at Kingston since 1994, and now runs Derwent ward.

He said: "I have seen a lot of changes, a lot of improvements over the years. A lot of elderly care is where the action is, so to speak.

"[The awards] make you realise how many people you need, and their different skills, to run a hospital. It was very nice to reflect back."

Bosses said: "Rob is an extremely wise and a gentle giant. He treats everyone with unfailing kindness and courtesy all laced with his gentle Irish sense of humour.

"He ensures that patients and colleagues feel that he has time for their problems however trivial, and he always gives excellent advice. "

The full list of long-service awards:

  • 25 years in the NHS or at Kingston Hospital

Albert Ampofo

Phil Farr

Jane Gwynne

Tim Heymann

David McIntyre

Mandy Bone

Belinda Brophy

Bernadette Buckley

Patricia Hennessy

Sarah Loades

Sarah Ludlow

Helen Martin

Glen Slater

Emer Teuma

Debbie Norton

  • 30 years in the NHS or at Kingston Hospital

Maria Lindsey

Sue Orton

Ros Sainsbury

Catherine Tanner

Anna Brown

Nicole Byrne

Viana Lopez

Mandy Woodward