WARRINGTON Hospital's longest serving member of staff has spent 43 years fighting infectious diseases.

And in all that time, says Warwick Dunne, the job has never got any easier!

Otherwise known as Wally, 'the lad in the lab' began his career as a junior technician when he left Lymm Grammar School in 1957 aged 18.

Now, at 61, he retires as chief medical laboratory scientific officer - able to spot different types of bacteria at a glance. Wally led a team of 100 scientists, responsible for investigating all the infectious diseases that come into the hospital by processing specimens before recommending to doctors the best course of antibiotics.

"I love Warrington and have never wanted to live or work anywhere else," he said.

But the dad of five, who lives in Ronald Drive, Fearnhead, recites the happiest times as being when he met his wife, Anne, a trainee nurse.

"I just spotted her across the corridor!" he said.

The couple married at Latchford Methodist Church in 1964 and Anne, who retired last year, also spent her working life at Warrington Hospital, including 20 years in accident and emergency.

"I have had a good life," said Wally. "but I think it is harder for people starting out today than when I began work.

"If my first five years had been anything like the last, it would have been pretty bad. The NHS has had a lot of problems of late, mainly political."

Wally says that the population of Warrington has expanded so much that the NHS has struggled to keep up.

"Staff do not have as much time as they used to," he added.

"A technology explosion in the 70s and 80s saw the biggest changes and this was a good thing. The bad thing is how the politicians have failed the people, but the staff working hands on are still doing a great job. I will miss them the most."

Wally who has one grandson and another grandchild on the way, plans to spend time with his family and have a good holiday. He was presented with a bike by colleagues and friends.

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