A GREENOCK couple have bowed out at Inverclyde Royal after clocking up an amazing 71 years of combined service at the hospital.

Sheena and Alex McDermid are celebrating their retirement after 34 and 37 years respectively of working there.

The couple said an emotional farewell to colleagues after they finished their final shifts.

Sheena was a catering supervisor, while Alex was the hospital's maintenance supervisor.

Sheena said: “It’s the people I will miss the most, I have always had a great relationship with the people I have worked with and I’ll definitely miss all of them.

“Inverclyde Royal is such a great hospital and a great place to work, both of us have really enjoyed our time working here.

"I told Alex I was retiring at 64. He is a year older than me and he intended to stay on for a bit longer, but decided we should just do it together.”

Alex worked his way up from a technician role to his supervisor post and was widely regarded by colleagues as the man who knows the hospital building better than anyone else.

He said: “This place has given me stability and it’s been a great job.

"I always wanted to be a maintenance electrician, it is something I’ve always done and I’m so happy I have been able to do it here.

"I am retiring a bit early, but I just felt the time was right for me to do so.

“I always liked the fault-finding side of the job, problem-solving under pressure and getting things working again, and without blowing my own trumpet I think I’ve been good at that.

“My advice for anyone starting out is, learn from people, listen to them and help others too, share your knowledge and appreciate others’ knowledge.”

While the couple say they will miss their jobs and the team at IRH, they are looking forward to spending more time together, with plans to travel across Scotland.

Sheena said: “We have this dream of buying a camper van and touring Scotland. Three years ago me and friend did the North Coast 500 and during it we saw so many amazing things, particularly the beaches. I would love to go back and do that with Alex.

“Alex is also really into his walking and we did the West Highland Way together twice, so we might even do that too.

"We’re also going away next year on a cruise to the Canary Islands, so we’re really looking forward to that too.”

Greenock Telegraph: Inverclyde Royal Hospital

Bosses at the hospital have praised the McDermids for their long service.

Louise Watson, site lead, said: “Everyone at the IRH would like to thank both Sheena and Alex for all of their hard work over the years.

"It’s amazing that one couple have contributed a collective 71 years of service to the Inverclyde community and they will be missed by all of their colleagues and the team here.

“We would like to wish them both all the very best for the future and hope they enjoy their well-earned retirement.”