Nurse, 83, retires after six-decade NHS career

A nurse working in midwifery has retired after 66 years working in the NHS.

Janet Harley's colleagues on Maple Ward at Hull Women and Children's Hospital, where she worked as a midwifery support worker, threw her a surprise party.

She said: "I've just loved everything about my job. I've loved the teamwork, caring for mums and babies."

The 83-year-old added: "If I don't go now, I'll never go."

Janet began nurse training in Perthshire, Scotland, in 1959.

Two years later, she and husband Robert, who was in the Armed Forces, moved to Aldershot, Hampshire, where she began working in maternity services.

The couple later moved to East Yorkshire when Robert was posted to the Defence School of Transport at Leconfield.

Janet transferred to Beverley Westwood Hospital, where she worked in the special care baby unit before maternity services moved to Castle Hill Hospital in Cottingham.

In 2003, the entire service moved to the new purpose-built Hull Women and Children's Hospital in the grounds of Hull Royal Infirmary.

Since then, Janet has worked in the labour and delivery suite, the midwifery-led unit, theatres and the postnatal ward. She ended her 66-year career in antenatal care.

"I'll miss the people the most but I'll keep coming back in to see them, especially if they're making the coffee," she said.

"I've just loved it all."

Midwife Gemma Butterworth, who helped arrange Janet's send-off, said: "Nothing is too much trouble for Janet. [She] is always keen to help, continuously on the go and a valuable member of the team.

"We would like to thank Janet for her continuous dedication and commitment to the NHS. "

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