LUDLOW Community Hospital has been the place of work for Maureen Gould for 34 years.

One of the pleasures of working at the hospital for laundress Maureen, who lives at Castleford Road, is that she gets to work alongside her daughter, Kerry Edwards, who is the hospital’s hotel services and site manager.

Kerry has worked at the hospital for 13 years and, not surprisingly, she has crossed paths with her mother, who previously worked as a domestic supervisor, on quite a few occasions – even swapping roles with her.

“In 2005 mum felt as she was getting older wanted to slow down,” said Kerry.

“I became the domestic supervisor and mum went to work in the laundry and of course it was all done through the proper channels.”

Kerry has worked her way up the ladder and is now in charge of everything non-clinical, including porters, catering, the domestics and all site issues.

“Everybody wants their relatives to be here because I have heard nothing but good reports about how people are treated,” said Kerry.

“I thoroughly enjoy coming into work and have done everything over the years.

“I’ve done some porting, helped in the kitchen, I’ve been a domestic and worked in the laundry, and I do enjoy the site side of things.”

Maureen, whose own parents were treated at the hospital, feels the same about the hospital.

“I have loved every minute of it. The hospital is very important,” said Maureen.

“I have still got the ‘Save Our Hospital’ banner in my laundry from when the hospital was under threat a few years ago.

“The hospital means people do not have to make long journeys to Shrewsbury or Hereford.

“Some of the patients know us and they are relieved to see us.”

Another colleague with a long service record is Pauline Hughes, a domestic assistant who has worked at the hospital for 27 years.

“We clean and collect meal trays from patients and when we have time we like to talk to them,” said Pauline.

“Sometimes we coax them to eat and have plenty to drink. I’ve loved every minute of it.”

Pauline is clear about the importance of the hospital.

“Most of our patients are elderly,” said Pauline. “Ludlow Hospital means they don’t have to travel long distances.”

Following the collapse of the project to build a new hospital at the Eco-Park, attention has switched to improving facilities at the existing hospital.

A task force has drawn up a wish list of improvements to be carried out to revitalise Ludlow Hospital.

“The message is Ludlow Hospital is here to stay,” said Pat Hansen, a volunteer at the hospital and a member of the task force.