Blandford practice nurse Buffy Wareham talks about the changes she’s seen in 50 years of nursing, personal loss, and her enduring need to help
For some people, she is the practice nurse who has repeatedly jabbed them over the last few decades. To others she has been a constant presence since their teenage years. Buffy Wareham has just celebrated 50 years working as a nurse – something few clinicians achieve today.
She is one of the most familiar faces at the Blandford Group of Practices where she has worked for the past 27 years.
From Brixton to Blandford
Buffy trained as a general nurse at the Middlesex Hospital in London in 1974. ’Sadly, that is no more, it became part of UCL. Then I worked on a medical ward before going to the John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford to train as a midwife. I returned to London and got a job in A&E at St Thomas’s Hospital. I became a sister when I was 24.
‘I worked on the short stay unit attached to A&E – I was on duty for the Brixton riots and also for the first London Marathon.’
At the end of her job in A&E there was an increase of violence-related cases such as gunshot wounds and stabbings. Buffy left to spend a year as a school nurse.
‘During my time in casualty I trained in family planning at Kings College Hospital. This was useful for working in sexual health clinics in SE London and Paddington area health authorities, as well as working as a school nurse in the community.’
Contraception and sexual health have been an important thread throughout her career especially growing her own family. ‘When I was training in family planning they were doing a lot of research into chlamydia and its links to infertility. Then when I joined this practice, some of the work I did involved improving detection rates in chlamydia.
‘Now, of course, swabs are done before fitting contraceptive devices.’
Personal heartache
‘I have had four boys,’ says Buffy. ‘My family is my life.’ But her eldest son, Edward, became very ill with a severe form of epilepsy which sadly disabled him. ‘We took him to specialists in London and Paris, but he remained a medical mystery. He unexpectedly died on our family holiday in August 1993 – he was almost nine.’
She had been considering retraining as a midwife, but Edward’s death made it impossible for her.
‘It was all too much.’
The family moved to Wimborne in 1997 and the boys settled into local schools. ’Then I saw a job advertised for a practice nurse in Blandford. It was quite tough initially – my husband was working in London and I was also studying for a practice nurse qualification. I specialised in women’s health.
‘In general practice, your own life experiences make a huge difference. I’m sure Edward dying, although it was a huge upheaval in my life, helped me to help other people. If someone is distressed about a child dying or is grieving, I might say something and they’ll often say – how did you know to say that? And he’s helped me do that. Edward taught us an awful lot, he probably made me who I am today.
‘I have also been privileged to look after my parents and aunt at the end of their lives. My mother died earlier this year, aged 100.’
Starched cuffs
Naturally, with a career spanning 50 years, Buffy has seen a lot of change.
’Nurse training has changed. One of my sons has become an advanced clinical practitioner recently so I’ve seen it from the modern side. One of the biggest differences is that my training gave me a great sense of duty and commitment – sadly I don’t think that is always apparent today. The way that I work is to take a holistic approach to the patient, I don’t just look at the specific task. Genuine patient care for me is always very important.
‘I have loved my nursing career. I love helping people and making a difference.
‘We have seen a lot of recent change here in Blandford, with the merge of two practices and of course the pandemic in 2020. Unfortunately, I caught COVID the first time around, before we had vaccines. I was left with long COVID and had to reduce my hours.
‘Uniforms have also changed. I look at Call The Midwife and think: “Good Lord! That’s the uniform I trained in!” We all wore cuffs and hats and everything had to be pristine and starched.
In October I had a 50th anniversary reunion with 30 of my set I trained with in London, which was lovely. I continue to wear my Middlesex Hospital badge on my uniform with pride.
‘I enjoy the nature of general practice. Each day is different. Helping and making a difference to someone gives me complete job satisfaction.’
So much change
Buffy has many interests outside work. ‘My family are everything to me. I have four grandchildren and love being a hands-on granny. I love tennis, always have done, and I play regularly. I love cooking and entertaining, and also photography and travelling. I’ve always had a great love of the arts, visiting galleries and going to the theatre.’
After 50 years, what keeps Buffy coming into work each day? ‘It’s probably a need to care for people. I love seeing familiar faces. The continuity and getting to know families is lovely. If someone wants to go into this job they will inevitably learn a huge amount. I think people believe general practice to be easy, but it’s not just about taking out a few sutures. You can develop your own interests and skills within practice nursing. I feel I have consolidated my training and previous experience over the years to enhance my role specialising in Women’s Health. It is important to keep your knowledge and skills updated in such a clinical role .
‘Being a good team player helps, but you have to be confident and capable to work autonomously when running your own clinics.
‘I have seen so much change. These days there is a huge wodge of administration in the NHS, with constant new initiatives that don’t make a difference and are usually a waste of time.
‘I wish they would just look after the workers, the doctors and nurses who do a lot of the valuable work. If they’re not nurtured and looked after, they will leave.
And the name Buffy? – ‘Well, I’ve been called that since the year dot. My real name is Mary Rose – like the wreck!’
