Dewsbury family with three generations of hospital workers

Left to right: Julia Stott, Appointment Centre Supervisor, Sharon Blackburn, Domestic Assistant, Rebecca Haigh, Appointment Coordinator and Liam Haigh, Print Room Operator.

A local family from Dewsbury have followed their passion for helping others, by joining the world of healthcare after being inspired by each other to pursue a career within the NHS.

57-year-old grandmother, Sharon Blackburn, is celebrating the NHS 75th birthday this week, with her daughters and grandson. The three generations have all followed the same path to progress within the NHS, working at Dewsbury and District Hospital for a combined total of 38 years.

Being local to Dewsbury, Sharon began her journey with Mid Yorkshire Teaching Trust as a Domestic Assistant in 2003. After 20 years, Sharon is still ensuring that the

Dewsbury site is a safe, clean environment where staff can care for patients while reducing the risk of infection.

A hard-working role model for her daughters, Sharon’s desire to help others inspired her two daughters, Rebecca Haigh, and Julia Stott.

Both daughters followed in their mother’s footsteps gaining employment at Dewsbury and District Hospital in the Radiology department.

Julia, an Appointment Centre Supervisor, joined the trust in 2007 in a part time role as an evening domestic whilst studying at college. Progressing into a day job, Julia later secured a position as an Appointment Coordinator, and became one of the first staff members at the diagnostic centre which opened in 2008.

Rebecca, Appointment Coordinator, moved from Leeds to Dewsbury and District Hospital in 2021. Working closely with her sister, she said it is a ‘pleasure’ to share this experience with her sibling.

Being responsible for booking appointments, reassuring patients on the procedures they are having and managing diaries, Rebecca commented:

“I find my career within the NHS very rewarding. Being able to help people in their hour of need reminds me that we need support to get better and being part of the journey that helps patients on this journey makes it all worthwhile.”

With two generations before him, a career in the NHS seemed the obvious choice for Rebecca’s son Liam Haigh, 21. He joined the Trust in March 2023, as a Print Room Operator following a successful internship with the department.

Now based at Dewsbury and District Hospital with his family, Liam helps to complete print runs for essential communication materials needed for all three hospital sites.

Liam said:

“I am proud to follow my family and continue the tradition that my grandma started. I am enjoying my role at Mid Yorkshire and have learnt so much from my colleagues in the short amount of time I have been here.

“The NHS has so many career opportunities available to explore and each of my family members is a great example of this. There are some great perks that come with working for the NHS, an amazing number of staff benefits and a great pension. I hope to build on my career within the organisation and see where this exciting journey can take me.”

If you are interested in a career within Mid Yorkshire Teaching NHS Trust, please visit our page for job opportunies