A spotlight on our People – Belinda Hughes

This year, HMT is proud to celebrate an incredible milestone: 40 years of unwavering care and compassion. To mark this anniversary, we’re sharing stories from dedicated, long service team members across the organisation.

Belinda Hughes began her nursing career in 1980 and found her home at Sancta Maria Hospital in 1989. At the time, she was simply looking for flexible work to suit her young family. What followed was not just a job, but a lifelong calling that saw Belinda become a much-loved and essential member of our hospital team.

“I’ve never been unhappy here,” Belinda says. “We’ve all had good days and bad days, but never a day that made me want to leave. I still feel happy at work now.” Her loyalty and warmth have touched countless patients and colleagues alike.

Among the many lives she’s touched, one moment stands out for Belinda: advocating for a critically ill patient in the face of dismissal, making the call that ultimately saved his life. “That consultant wasn’t one to give compliments,” she remembers, “but when he said, ‘this one here saved your life,’ I knew I’d made a difference.”

Belinda is known for her love of her team, describing them as “an amazing, hilarious bunch.” She thrives on the teamwork, the rhythm of the night shift, and the privilege of caring for others. “To get up early would be alien for me,” she laughs.

Belinda still remains as dedicated as ever to HMT – always ready to step in, train up and give her all. On her days off, you’ll find her enjoying the simple joys: dinner with friends, wine with her husband or spending quality time with her grandchildren.

Belinda is a shining example of the dedication and resilience of our people at HMT, people who lie at the heart of healthcare. As we celebrate 40 years of HMT. We’re proud to recognise individuals like Belinda who have helped shape our organisation and continue to inspire the future.