After an incredible combined total of 87 years of nursing experience, Heather Parkin and Linda Oliver will retire in March 2026 from their roles as Educators for Palliative and End of Life Care at County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust.
Heather and Linda have dedicated the majority of their working lives to caring for patients and supporting families across community services, hospice care and, more recently, in their education roles.
Throughout their careers, they have demonstrated an unwavering commitment to high-quality, patient-centred palliative and end of life care.
As educators, they have played a vital role in developing and supporting colleagues across the organisation and beyond, sharing their knowledge, compassion and expertise to ensure patients receive the very best care at some of the most important and sensitive moments in life.
Their work has not only strengthened professional practice but has also touched countless lives.
Suzanne Vickers, Matron for Palliative and End of Life Care, said: “Heather and Linda are retiring in March 2026 after totting up 87 years of ‘nursing’ experience between them. They move into the next chapter after spending the majority of their working lives in the Community, Hospice and latterly the Education role.
"Their passion for Palliative and End of Life Care has driven them to offer high quality patient-centred care and ‘touch’ many lives. They will be missed and I will be ever grateful for their contributions and their gift of friendship.”
While they will be greatly missed by colleagues and the many patients and families they have supported, the team is pleased to confirm that Rachel Hurst has been successful in securing the Education post.
Rachel looks forward to meeting colleagues and continuing the important work of supporting high standards in palliative and end of life care.
Everyone at the Trust extends sincere thanks to Heather and Linda for their extraordinary service, dedication and compassion, and wishes them both a long, happy and well-deserved retirement.
