Matron Sid's in charge

There’s a new ward matron at the Whitstable and Tankerton Hospital and Siju Chacko couldn’t be prouder to be in the driving seat.

Globe-trotting Siju, known to his colleagues as Sid, qualified in India and worked in Italy for a while before deciding to settle in the UK and raise his family here.

He said: “When I qualified as a nurse I worked in Poona Hospital in Maharashtra for two years before leaving for a private hospital in Rome. I struggled with the language, so in 2002 I moved to the UK together with my wife Shiji and our eldest daughter, Sreya. Our second daughter, Anagha, was born in here in 2007.

Sid on the ward

“After completing my training at Kent and Canterbury Hospital, I worked in a private care home in Whitstable, but I have always wanted to work in a community hospital, so when I saw an opening at Herne Bay in 2013 I jumped at the chance. I was given such a wonderful welcome by the team and immediately felt at home.”

Sid was appointed to a band five registered nurse role at the Queen Victoria Memorial Hospital in Herne Bay, under the expert influence of experienced ward matron Alison Read.

He rose through the ranks quickly and developed into a more senior role on the ward, encouraged by Alison and Suzanne Vogle, matron at Deal Hospital. Sid said: “Alison and Suzanne helped me advance. When the role of matron came up in Whitstable, both of them encouraged me to apply.”

Suzanne Vogle, Sid and Alison Read

Alison said: “Sid is a shining star. He’s unassuming, kind, very forward-thinking and has the most amazing way about him. When Sid was working with me at QVMH, I always felt the ward was in safe hands. But I also recognised he had leadership qualities and sometimes you need to help someone to fly.”

Sid is enjoying life with Shiji and their daughters in Whitstable. He said: “We all enjoy the beach and the fresh air and best of all I can now walk to work again. Being a matron is challenging, but I enjoy finding solutions to everyday problems and doing the best for our patients.”

If you want to join a thriving organisation where colleagues are encouraged to shine, check out our latest vacancies.