A well-loved sister and "hard act to follow" has retired after 32 years working in hospitals across the borough.

Bernadette Wilson Bristol, known as Sister Bernie, began working in the borough as a staff nurse in the ophthalmology department at Edgware Community Hospital, and has since worked in various departments in hospitals and clinics in Barnet, Finchley, Edgware, Enfield and Harrow, including ear, nose and throat and outpatients.

Her roles have changed from staff nurse, to nurse practitioner, to sister in charge of outreach clinics, as well as a nurse in a community clinic taking appointments to free up time for GPs.

She said: "I would like to thank my patients for being the best patients within the NHS.

"There are quite a number of patients I have been seeing for over 30 years, and I would like to thank my team which includes doctors, nurses, receptionists and audiologists for their support over the years."

Ms Wilson Bristol also wanted to thank staff in Edgware and Finchley, and GP surgeries in Harrow and Brent who have been referring patients to them for many years.

Between 1989 and 1999 Sister Bernie worked with outpatients in Edgware Community Hospital, Barnet Hospital and Finchley Memorial Hospital, and in November 1999 she took on a full time post in the ear, nose and throat outreach clinic run by the Royal National Throat, Nose and Ear Hospital, which operates under the Royal Free Hospital trust.

In 2001 she worked in a nurse-led aural care microsuction clinic, working in partnership with GP surgeries across Barnet, which won the team award at the UCLH celebrating excellence awards.

She added: "The most rewarding thing was seeing my patients happy and having a great rapport with the majority if not all my patients and their relatives, as well as the ENT team, which has a great team spirit and everyone supported each other."

She will be taking two months off to travel before undertaking part time work.

Her former colleague, Caroline Honey, who worked with Ms Wilson Bristol at Edgware Community Hospital, said: "I have worked with Bernie since 1997 and during that time she has always put patients first closely followed by her colleagues.

"She is a nurse to aspire too, developing her knowledge to ensure patients have a gold star seamless service. She encourages junior staff and gets the best out of them, offers help where needed and leads by example ensuring the best outcome for patients.

"I will miss her, not only as a colleague but friend. Our children have grown up, we have shared conversations, laughter and tears.

"She is a hard act to follow."