Last sweep for the hospital's Mrs Mop

Aug 29 2007 By Alison Dayani, Birmingham Mail

HOSPITAL cleaner Christine Hay-cock is finally hanging up her dustpan and brush after 40 years sweeping the wards.

The popular Mrs Mop has put elbow grease into making wards and operating theatres sparkle for decades, but is saying a fond farewell to colleagues now she has reached the age of 60.

Christine, from Smethwick, began her career at Winson Green's City Hospital in 1967 as a theatre orderly when her duties included tasks such as helping to move patients and making sure the theatre was clean and tidy to receive patients for surgery.

After nine years as an orderly, Christine then began working as a domestic assistant.

The cleaner said: "I'm really looking forward to relaxing and taking it easy.

"I want to enjoy life as much as possible now that I'm retired.

"It'll be sad to leave the trust as I've been here so long and I'm really going to miss the friends I've made through that time."

Christine is set to be particularly missed at the hospital's maternity unit, where she spent her final years.

Chris Daley, Christine's domestic supervisor, said: "Christine will be greatly missed by all the friends she has made over the years."