8 March 2022

This week Frimley Health is celebrating International Women's Day, a time to celebrate the successes of all of the phenomenal women working across it's sites.

The theme this year is 'breaking the bias', reinforcing the fact that everyone has a role to play in forging a more gender- balanced world. At Frimley Health we are proud that 76% of our  overall workforce are female, with that rising to 90% for nursing and midwifery staff and 77% for allied health professionals. 89% of the students currently studying with us are also women. 

International Women's Day is the perfect opportunity to celebrate and showcase just some of Frimley Health's inspirational women and ask them who their inspiration is...

Arlene Bautista - Clinical Lead for International Nurses

"My mum. She was the main earner in our family of five. Her tenacity and perseverance got us all through and I feel without her, I would not be where I am now. If I turn out to be half of my mum, I would be honoured."

Ellen Duke - Head of Nursing Paediatrics and Neonates

"There are too many to mention as I’ve been blessed to be influenced by inspirational men and women throughout my career. My continued insApiration comes from the honesty and unbiased view on the world that young people have.

We all should learn a lot from them!"

Fatima Husain - Consultant in Obsetetrics & Gynaecology

"My father is a retired GP. Throughout his tireless years of serving the NHS he never failed to show great empathy both to his patients and his family. This inspired me to become a Gynaecologist and care for women at their most vulnerable times."

Ruth Butterworth - Change Manager (Heatherwood Hospital)

"The woman who inspired me was my Grandmother, my best friend.

She fought for what was right and considered everyone as equals irrelevant of their position, always reminding me we all have a part to play in the success of a family, sports team or business. She had an amazing sense of humour and could easily bring a room to tears of laughter."

Caroline Martin - Healthcare Transition Nurse Specialist

"The person who inspires me most in my professional life is my Mum.

I’m always in awe of her personal strength despite the obstacles she’s overcome and how selfless she is in her everyday life. Mum inspired me to become a nurse and without her I wouldn’t have been able to achieve what I have in my professional life. She's my inspiration each and every day."

Carol Deans - Director of Communications and Engagement 

"I have been inspired professionally by many women and men but early on in my career a colleague called Julie developed me to be her maternity leave cover and showed me how to be a respected expert adviser and have a family."

Lorna Wilkinson - Chief of Nursing and Midwifery

"My first ward leader – who was uncompromising in her insistence on the highest of care standards but who also made work joyful and inclusive

The Head of Nursing who pushed me out of my comfort zone, into a Directorate role and set me on the path to today. She ultimately took a chance on me and I have never forgotten the power of that, I was so lucky to have that push and encouragement, and to this day I always try and gift it forward to those around me

The women who are around me every day, supporting, challenging, being curious, being courageous, I continuously learn from them. My colleagues at FHFT and across the NHS provide constant inspiration

I’m from a family of strong women, who are not afraid to push through tradition and stereotype and also have huge hearts. They have shaped me and give me strength in the most difficult of times"