Celebrating 50 years of nursing with Dr. Rosemary Jambert-Gray
This International Nurses Day, meet mental health nurse Dr. Rosemary Jambert-Gray, who is marking an incredible 50 years in nursing.
She began her career in 1975 at Addenbrooke’s Hospital, Cambridge with little idea that a three-month mental health placement at Fulbourn Hospital the following year would shape her future.
That experience sparked a lifelong passion - and she’s never looked back.
Rosemary’s role at our Trust
Since Covid-19, Rosemary has been leading community reflective practice groups across Kingston, Richmond, Sutton and Merton, creating space for teams to pause, connect and learn from each other.
“Change in the NHS is constant. After 50 years, I’ve seen many shifts, but what remains is the commitment of staff doing their best every day.”
Alongside this, Rosemary continues to work clinically, supporting services like the Mental Health Crisis Line, Rapid Assessment Clinic, Perinatal Services and psychiatric liaison at St George’s Hospital. Working as a nurse acupuncturist, she also instigated a weekly clinic ‘caring for the carers’. Sadly, this ended with Covid.
With a PhD in addiction, she also teaches prison staff how to recognise and respond to substance use. She also tutors first-year medical students at St George’s Medical School, a role she finds energising: “Even after 50 years, I remain a student!”
Looking back: rewarding moments in a 50 year career
With 50 years in nursing across intensive care, mental health, research, teaching and leadership, it’s hard for Rosemary to pick just one moment – but two stand out.
In 1988, she responded to a major incident while working at St George’s Hospital: “I was teaching at the time. A call came in to say that there had been a terrible accident at Clapham Junction train station, and they were calling out for clinical staff to help. It was a very busy, fraught and emotional day but one where everyone, including the hospital chaplain, was part of one incredibly efficient and professional team”.
“It was emotional and intense, but the teamwork and compassion shown that day will stay with me forever.”
More recently, she worked on the Orchid mental health crisis team during the Covid-19 pandemic: “Someone came up with the amazing idea to create ‘Orchid’, which was essentially a mental health A&E. It was a privilege to be part of such a dedicated and experienced team, offering calm, compassionate care when people needed it most.”
A story that stayed with her
One story that’s stayed with Rosemary comes from her time in addiction services, when she met a woman in her 40s who had faced significant trauma. From the start, she asked Rosemary for support on her terms - no questions, just space and understanding.
Each week, she came to see Rosemary at the same time. Over time, trust began to grow. Rosemary learned that sometimes the most powerful thing a nurse can do is simply listen and offer consistency. The woman had hopes for recovery and a desire to change her life. Despite facing many challenges, including the violent loss of a loved one, she continued to return and eventually, she came off all her illicit drugs.
One thing she said has always stayed with Rosemary: “Out there, I’m a lot of different people. Here, I’m just me.”
That simple statement reflected so much about the importance of non-judgemental, person-centred care.
Her story had a lasting impact on Rosemary’s work and thinking. She even drew from it for her PhD research. Exploring how becoming a mother is a major motivator for change in drug use; she interviewed breastfeeding mothers whilst being treated with methadone for an opiate addiction. That journey, and the connection they built, continue to guide Rosemary’s approach to nursing today.
Reflections
If Rosemary could speak to her younger self, she’d remind her how lucky she was to train as a mental health nurse during a time of positive change engendered by the anti-psychiatric movement. Care was becoming more social and therapeutic, with staff and patients working together in supportive, community-style settings.
“We started each day with a community meeting where everyone, even the cleaners, took part. It created a real sense of shared purpose.”
Now, through her work as a reflective practice facilitator, Rosemary continues to support colleagues and listen to their experiences. She recognises the dedication of today’s workforce and encourages them to hold on to the heart of nursing: compassionate, person-centred care.
"Time spent with patients is what truly makes a difference - it always has, and it always will.”
Our Trust, and the NHS, is filled with inspiring nurses like Rosemary. While today is a day to really reflect and celebrate them, we appreciate their hard work and dedication every day. It’s with their care, compassion and commitment that we are making a difference to patients’ lives every single day
