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A new start for Jason as part of #TeamNHS

Facilities operative Jason Keen owes his life to the NHS, now he’s working to make sure others receive the same great care he did.

Jason, 33, was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma, a type of blood cancer, in April 2017.

Following some gruelling treatment, including chemotherapy and radiotherapy, to tackle a tumour that was pressing against his heart, Jason thought he was out of the woods when he then suffered a heart attack.

Until that point Jason, who lives in Faversham with his wife Maria, had always worked in retail or catering. But his health scare made him re-evaluate his career choices and he joined the NHS family as a facilities operative at Faversham Cottage Hospital for Kent Community Health NHS Foundation Trust (KCHFT).

Jason said: “I’m fully recovered but it’s been a long road. I feel in a way I’m paying the NHS back now by working as part of the team here.

I could have died from the tumour and the heart attack but the incredible people in the NHS saved my life. I spotted the advert for facilities operatives, I applied and joined the trust in October 2021.

What I have discovered is it doesn’t matter what role you’re in at Faversham hospital, we all work as a team to care for people. That’s literally everyone’s job here and it’s definitely what I signed up for.”

Jason works on the staff bank, meaning he can choose his shifts to work on a flexible basis to suit him and usually opts for an afternoon and early evening shift.

“I help to keep all the wards and the therapy areas sanitised, I clean the sinks and toilets and do deep cleaning every day,” he said. “I also help with the drinks and meal rounds and sometimes assist patients to get to the day room for socialising and activities.

That’s the best bit really, talking to the patients and getting to know them, cheering up their day a bit.

“When I was really ill I did wonder if I would ever work again. But now I’m doing a job that I really enjoy and I’m helping others too. I’m feeling optimistic about the future.”