‘I’ve loved it’: Midwifery nurse Janet retires after 66 years in NHS

INCREDIBLE SERVICE: Janet Harley at her celebration event

By Simon Bristow, Co-Editor

A nurse working in midwifery in Hull is preparing to retire after an incredible 66 years of service to the NHS.

Janet Harley qualified as a nurse working permanent nights in 1959 but has now decided to leave her role as a midwifery support worker on Maple Ward at Hull Women and Children’s Hospital at the age of 83.

Her friends across all maternity services threw her a surprise party to thank her for all she’s done.

“I’ve just loved everything about my job,” said Janet. “I’ve loved the team work, caring for mums and babies. It’s also been a privilege working for NHS and I’ve had lots of enjoyable and happy memories.

“I’m thinking, well, if I don’t go now, I’ll never go.”

Janet started her nurse training in Perthshire, Scotland, in 1959, and moved into orthopaedics in 1961.

THANK YOU: Janet with some of he midwifery colleagues

Her husband Robert was in the Armed Forces so they moved south to Aldershot, with Janet getting her first experience in obstetrics when she was asked to cover sick leave at Aldershot General. She loved maternity services so much, she never left.

After some time at Frimley Park Hospital in Hampshire, Janet moved north when Robert was posted to Leconfield, just outside Beverley. She worked at Beverley Westwood in the special care baby unit first before maternity services moved to Castle Hill.

Then, 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, she’s worked on the labour and delivery suite, the midwifery-led unit, theatres and the postnatal ward and will end her impressive, 66-year career in the NHS in antenatal care.

Janet said: “I’ll miss the people the most but I’ll keep coming back in to see them, especially if they’re making the coffee. I’ve just loved it all.”

Midwife Gemma Butterworth, who helped arrange Janet’s celebration, said: “Nothing is too much trouble for Janet, 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.”