Caring is a generational game for one family

‘I’ve got a lot to thank this hospital for…’

So says Colin Poynter, 58, who has spent almost 40 years playing a vital role in the care of patients at the Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother Hospital (QEQM) in Margate.

Colin is a porter at the hospital, which is also where he was born, where he met his wife, and where three generations of his family have worked.

At one point, Colin’s mum Doreen, and all her children, had roles in various areas, as did his aunt and his godmother.

Now, as well as Colin, you’ll also find his son Ben, cousin Lisa Higgins, and his sister Julie’s children Jen, Sarah, Tom, and Bliss Solly, caring for patients across the site.

Colin said: “I think caring is in our blood, and helping people has always run in the family.

“When I started, most of the porters were older men who had taken early retirement from the services or the police, so it was like having a lot of dads. They had all seen life and we were just starting out.

“The theatre sister who gave me the job said I really needed to be 21, but she would give me a chance, and I really enjoyed it.

“Caring for the patients is the main thing that has kept me here all these years, as well as the friendships I have made. It is like having an extended family with everything that goes with it, and I know mum was very proud to see so many of us following in her footsteps.”

Doreen worked as a cleaning supervisor for decades and was popular throughout the hospital, with teams queuing up to wish her well when she retired. Her sister worked as a nurse, while daughter Julie was a housekeeper. Julie and Colin’s sister Hayley also had a spell at the hospital, while the final sibling Amanda worked as a nurse before moving to work in a GP practice and is now training to become a doctor.

Colin said: “We are all local people and we were all born in this hospital. I’ve got a lot to thank the hospital for; it has given me a steady job, and my wife, and I’ve been able to help a few people along the way.

“We lost mum in 2023 but even then the team on St Margaret’s ward cared for her so well and were absolutely brilliant.

“She loved that we all worked here.”

Colin’s sister Julie Solly added: “Mum was such a hard worker and so proud to be making a difference, so it makes sense that so many of us have followed her example.

“It is a fantastic place to work. The hospital feels like a family in itself and everyone cares about each other.

“We are all there for the same reason, to look after the patients, and I think it’s lovely that so many of us have followed in mum’s footsteps.”

Julie’s daughter Sarah originally wanted to become a vet, and began working in a local practice as a teenager. But after having her own children, when she was cared for by an ‘amazing’ midwife and student midwife she decided to explore midwifery as a career.

She began working as a maternity care assistant in 2012, before qualifying as a midwife in 2019.

She said: “Being able to help people and support their choices through pregnancy and birth is a real privilege and I absolutely love the role.”

Sarah’s sister Bliss, a registered nursing associate, also switched to a healthcare career after initially training as a chef in 2017.

She said: “Mum had been in and out of hospital with various illnesses and I saw how well medical teams and staff cared and looked after her. It inspired me to enter a new career and give support and care to others in need.

“I started working in care, then got a job as a healthcare assistant in 2018, before completing a course at Canterbury Christ Church University to become a nursing associate.

“I plan to continue developing myself and extending my knowledge and skills in my nursing career.”

Their siblings Jen and Tom both work in the emergency department. Jen is an IV access technician, while Tom is a healthcare assistant. He completed a senior healthcare support worker level 3 apprenticeship last year.

Jen said: “It’s so rewarding to be able to help people and it’s nice to be able to work with Tom too.

“It’s good to know everyone else is here too, and we are all very close outside of work.”

Meanwhile their cousin Lisa Higgins worked as a nurse in outpatients, after initially starting working in care.

She trained as a nurse after having her son, and qualified in 1999, with all her training at the QEQM.

She said: “I love nursing and have had so many different experiences over the years. No two days are ever the same.”

While Colin’s son Ben initially joined the team as a porter, working in pharmacy, he now works as part of the theatre team as a theatre support worker.

He said: “My dad used to talk about work and it sounded interesting, so after I finished college I thought I would give it a go.

“I really enjoyed it, and once I started I could see so many other opportunities as well.

“One of my colleagues left to work in theatres and I really liked the idea of being part of the team there.

It took Ben four applications, and a trial day, before he was offered a job in theatres, but the wait was worth it.

He said: “Perseverance definitely paid off! My role involves collecting people from the ward, and taking instruments to and from theatre for cleaning.

“I will also soon be working in the actual theatre which I’m looking forward to.

“I never thought I would end up in this role when I joined as a porter, but my dad gave me the inspiration to progress. There are so many of us working here now that I see the others all the time – I don’t think I could avoid them if I tried, but we are all so close it’s lovely to work together as well.”