A FAMILIAR face at Southend Hospital has retired after 30 years of dedicated service.

Adrian ‘Reg’ Lane stepped down from his role in the hospital’s main outpatients department this week having helped tens of thousands of people.

Reg, 69, from Southend, was one of the first faces many visitors saw when they arrived at the hospital because he worked on the front reception desk on the ground floor of the hospital’s tower block.

He is known throughout the hospital due to the nature of his role which has seen him rush a pregnant lady to maternity just as her waters broke, direct patients to various departments and accompany grieving relatives to the Chapel of Rest.

A former entertainments manager for Pontins, Reg took up a post in the hospital’s radiotherapy department as a porter before going on to work in outpatients as a host.

He said: “The first thing I was taught on my very first day was that we choose to come into hospital, anybody else who comes through the door, doesn’t.

“They are here either because they are ill or because their relatives are ill.

“Therefore I’ve always tried to be friendly or caring and give them the sort of treatment I would want”.

In fact, it was an act of kindness from a stranger that helped Reg after he shattered his leg aged just seven. That has stayed with him ever since.

Reg added: “I was on a stretcher outside a hospital in Bristol nursing a shattered leg and I remember a man coming along and he smiled and gave me a couple of pieces of green plastic to play with.

“I didn’t know what they were but I still remember – and I’m nearly 70 now – that person being kind.”

Reg acknowledged the care and compassion he has received during the time his partner was terminally ill.

He said: “My late partner who used to work in this hospital was terminally ill.

“The kindness and care shown to me by all staff at Southend Hospital has been very much like a big family.

“It’s very important to feel valued.

“I’m just clerical staff but the care and kindness shown to me for all different reasons over the years has been unbelievable.”

In retirement, Reg is looking forward to waking up and having the freedom to do what he wants to do without the responsibility his job entails.

He added: “Of course, I’m going to miss it hugely and I didn’t retire on the spur of the moment.

“I decided to go when I was happy.

“I am going to miss the staff and patients hugely and I want to step out of the hospital environment for as long as I can until the time when I need to possibly start coming in.

“I’m going to be 70 in May.”

Long-standing hospital volunteer Margaret Bultitude paid tribute to her colleague.

She said: “Reg will be missed by members of staff and many patients who know him and have benefited from his kind attentions and helpful advice.

“He has been a friend and confidante to many people and will be greatly missed.”

Amy McGregor-Galliford, reception supervisor and booking manager, said: “Everyone in Main Outpatients considers it a privilege and an honour to have known and worked with Reg.

“We wish to pay tribute to his dedication, commitment and willingness to treat every patient that walks through our doors like family.”