Father and son share graduation honours

Father and son Graham and Robert Hedley have enjoyed double celebrations, as they both graduated from the Middlesbrough-based University of Teesside on the same day. They both achieved BSc (Hons) degrees in Community Nursing (Occupational Health), following two years of part-time study.

Robert, 28, from Low Fell, Gateshead, is the third generation of the Hedley family to qualify as a nurse, as his grandmother Jane-Isabella Hedley was also an Occupational Health nurse, for the National Coal Board in the North East. Robert works as a peripatetic Occupational Health Adviser for WellWork Ltd, a national Occupational Health provider based in Hexham. He said: “My Dad and I didn’t study together, but we did sit together and we had the same mentor – Maxine Oliver. It was special to graduate together. I’m sad my mother Anne couldn’t attend, as she runs a post office in Choppington, but I’m pleased my wife Jill and my Grandma were in the audience.”

Graham, 50, from Choppington, Northumberland, first qualified as an army nurse in 1974. He works for Aon Health Solutions, a national occupational health management company that covers the gas supply company, Transco, in the North East.

Graham said: “I’m glad that the studying is over and that we both now have the specialist practitioner qualification, which will open Rob`s career for him. For myself, the graduation was part of the ongoing learning process.”

Aileen Monkhouse Senior Lecturer and Pathway Leader for Occupational Health Nursing said: “Occupational Health is a small speciality within nursing so I was very surprised to discover that I had a father and son in the same classroom. At times this led to some interesting, humorous interaction and lively debate. Both Graham and Robert where a delight to teach and I look forward to their next adventure at Teesside.”

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