A former seamstress who switched careers to follow her dreams of nursing is toasting success after landing a top job with responsibility for 39 hospitals.

Linda Jones has risen through the ranks at Spire Yale Hospital in Wrexham to be appointed National Matron for the private healthcare group covering its hospitals throughout the UK.

It represents a rapid rise to success for the 45-year-old mum-of-one who is currently Spire Yale and Abergele’s Consulting Rooms Matron and Registered Manager, a position she has held for the past six years.

Linda, from Marchwiel near Wrexham, starts her new position on September 1 which will involve travelling the length and breadth of the country visiting all of Spire’s 39 healthcare facilities.

When she’s not on the road, she will be based at Dorset Rise in London although much of her time will be spent working from her home office.

“I’m really looking forward to the challenge and feel ready for something new,” said the former Ysgol Bryn Alyn pupil.

“I’m very proud of Spire Yale and Abergele Consulting Rooms. We’ve done a fantastic job at both sites and I have the joy of very engaged staff who make my job so much easier.

“I cannot thank my colleagues enough for the years of support they’ve given me. It’s been a real pleasure to work alongside them and I will miss them all very much however I’m still part of Spire Healthcare and I’m sure we’ll see each other in my new role.”

Linda, whose husband Peter, 48, works as a hospital porter at Spire Yale, trained as a seamstress and made clothing for Laura Ashley in Gresford, Wrexham, prior to embarking on a nursing career.

When her daughter started school, she decided to follow her dreams of nursing and was appointed the role of assistant technical officer in the operating theatre at the Wrexham Maelor Hospital before getting a job as a healthcare assistant at Spire Yale in 2000.

Linda juggled hospital shifts with studying as she completed a nursing degree at Bangor University. After qualifying she progressed through a series of posts at Spire Yale including junior staff nurse, senior staff nurse, sister, ward manager and clinical lead before being appointed hospital matron and registered manager.

“I’m now in charge of all the clinical departments of the hospital which basically means ensuring we maintain clinical standards and outcomes,” said Linda, whose daughter is now 26.

“As registered manager, it’s also my job to ensure we meet regulatory standards for Healthcare Inspectorate Wales. It’s demanding and challenging but very rewarding.”