A dedicated Colchester nurse, who once soldiered on and finished her shift despite breaking her ankle at work, is celebrating 40 years of service to the NHS.

Over the past four decades, Paula Kick, 58, has worked at Essex County Hospital, Lexden Road Maternity Home, Myland Hospital, St Mary’s Hospital, Severalls Hospital and Colchester General Hospital, as well as a spell at Black Notley Hospital, Last winter, she broke her left ankle in a fall at Colchester General, but refused to go to A&E until she finished her shift.

Born two months before the Queen’s coronation in April 1953, she began her nursing career at Essex County Hospital in January 1972, aged 18, after completing a pre-nursing course at the old Endsleigh College in Lexden.

She qualified three years later and was promoted to Sister aged just 26 – making her one of the youngest in the NHS.

For the past 12 years Mrs Kick has run day clinics in the Gainsborough Wing at Colchester General Hospital.

The longest she spent away from work was four months, for the birth of her son, Adam, 28 years ago.

After 40 years as a nurse, Mrs Kick, who grew up in Frinton, said she had no plans to retire just yet.

She explained: “I still enjoying getting up and coming to work. My only regret is I won’t be able to do another 40 years.

“I love my patients today as much as I did when I started. I’m still committed and enthusiastic about providing a quality, caring service.

“I’m not so fond of paperwork – but put me in a clinic with patients and a doctor and I couldn’t be happier.

“I’ve got a brilliant and dedicated team here, ranging from the domestics to the doctors, and I’ve worked with some phenomenal people, some of who have been with me for 20 years.”

When she began her career, Mrs Kick lived in Wellesley Road. Colchester, with other nursing students – back in the days when nurses were expected to stand if a consultant entered the room and were only allowed out of their digs after 10pm with permission from Matron.

At the time there were no hoists for moving patients, no electric beds or pre-packed syringes and dressings.

When money was tight, she supported her husband, Roger, a self-employed plasterer, by taking on a second job in a nursing home.

Mel Crouch, service manager at Colchester General Hospital, first met Mrs Kick in 1987 when she was a new ward sister.

She said: “Paula was an inspirational guidance – always there to offer advice and support.

“She is a credit to the nursing profession, has always been patient-focused. but also very caring to her staff.

“She is never worried about challenging things if something causes her concern.”