Liz Martin, a dedicated nurse who spent her entire career at the Northern General Hospital in Sheffield, has died at the age of 73. She passed away in the hospital's palliative care unit after a lengthy struggle with cancer.
Early Life and Training
Born in Newark-on-Trent, Nottinghamshire, to Pat Crowson, an office clerk for the gas board, and Rachel (nee Bowie), Liz knew from a young age that she wanted to be a nurse. She joined the St John Ambulance as a girl, and her determination was strengthened when she received an award for a brave but unsuccessful attempt to save a child pulled unconscious from the River Trent.
In 1969, at the age of 16, she began her training at the Northern General Hospital, where she lived in a nurses' home under strict supervision and nightly curfews. She initially trained as a state enrolled nurse and later achieved state registered status.
Career at Northern General Hospital
Liz remained at the Northern General for her entire career, spanning 46 years. In the 1990s, she completed a one-year conversion course to become a state registered nurse, which led to her appointment as a ward sister in 2000 on a medical admissions ward. This was a high-turnover, high-stress environment where she was known for remaining calm and collected under pressure. In 2005, she became a clinical educator, teaching nurses, new doctors, and other medical staff.
Personal Life and Interests
Outside of work, Liz was an avid rambler and a keen reader of detective thrillers. She was also an enthusiastic traveler, visiting Australia twice, as well as South Africa, Canada, and various European countries.
She is survived by her husband, John Martin, whom she met when he was a porter at the Northern General and married in 1973; their daughter, Rachael; two grandsons; a great-granddaughter; and five siblings.
