Celebrating 75 years - as the NHS looks forward, we take a moment to look back and chat to Shiela Thompson about her NHS Career.
This year the NHS turns 75, while the focus is primarily on innovation and where the NHS is headed in the future - there’s always time to reflect and take a look back at those who have played a big part in delivering care over those years.
Shiela Thompson (nee Boardman) was definitely one of those people - Shiela worked as a midwife and teacher for 13 years, educating and training midwives at West Cumberland Hospital.
Shiela then became head of midwifery services, then, director of midwifery services before her role changed again to become clinical services manager of maternity and gynaecology.
Sheila reflects on those 35 years and tells us about her long and successful career.
When did you start working for the NHS and how long did you work for?
I began my NHS career in 1958 as a nurse cadet, which was two years training at Ormskirk Hospital Lancashire. I worked and trained continuously until health issues brought about my retirement in 1993.
Where did you work and what did you do?
After my initial Cadet training I stayed at Ormskirk General Hospital and continued to train for further four years to become a State Registered Nurse (SRN) in 1964.
I then went on to work at Mill Road Maternity Hospital, Liverpool where I qualified as a midwife in 1966.
In 1970 I qualified as a midwife teacher and accepted a role in sole charge of all Midwifery teaching at West Cumberland Hospital’s Maternity department.
What changes did you see during your career?
There were many changes during my career, some beneficial some not, there was lots of reorganisation throughout the years. When I became head of midwifery at WCH, I was very proud of the implementation of a breast feeding advisor and a bereavement midwife specialist. I was lucky to be supported and to be able to get finance for these roles. I very much wanted to keep up with general standards elsewhere in the country.
Did you enjoy your job?
Yes, very much, I never got over the miracle of birth, it is very moving, wonderful to see and a privilege to be there when the mother needs you. One of the consultants would ask the students how they felt after attending/witnessing their first birth and they would all say the same, it was very moving and an honour to witness.
Do you have any funny stories to tell about your career?
There are many but one that comes to mind involves a maternity matron who lived on site and took it upon herself to do a ward round every night. Part of the uniform then was a cape and one night as she toured the hospital with her hood up and cape billowing, she came upon a midwife who had gone to find some notes – the poor midwife got such a fright, she thought she’d seen a ghost!
What was the best thing about being a midwife and teacher?
Being a midwife teacher for me were the happiest of times. The pupil midwives were so receptive, enthusiastic and willing to learn, I enjoyed teaching them and I was very proud of their achievements – many have kept in touch.
Recruitment was never a problem; our intake was up to six pupils every three months.
We probably had 50/50 proportion of local pupils and from elsewhere, including overseas. Everything was on site then, hospital accommodation, school and even a club for entertainment/ sport activities. Also it was a very personal experience for the students, my colleague would send lovely hand written invitations to the students to accept posts.
What advice would you give to someone thinking of becoming a midwife today?
Definitely do your homework, speak to friends and relations who know midwives, speak to people who are midwives, research and ask questions - it is hard work but a very rewarding career.
NHS 75 is focused on the theme of innovation, can you recall a time where you saw something new and innovative in action for the first time?
It was wonderful to be present and see the advances in Midwifery especially the monitoring of the foetus by scans and heart readings. In March 1989 Sellafield Contractors Charity Committee donated £500 to WCH to purchase a new foetal heat monitor – things like this were so advanced at the time and much needed to deliver innovative care to pregnant mothers in the 1980s and beyond.
What’s the most exciting thing you have seen in your career in terms of women’s health / midwifery innovation?
Not so much innovation in terms of technical advances but in terms of development and progression I think the expansion of roles for nurses in general is really great - nurse practitioners and direct entry midwifery for example. I have been retired for a number of years now so I am somewhat ‘out of the loop’ but it would be really interesting to see how successful that has been.
What would you like to see happen in the NHS in the future?
To continue to provide the best care possible for everyone. Several friends of mine who have been patients or needed NHS care recently have all been complimentary regarding the care they have received from the NHS which is really good to hear.
Working in the NHS is a very special thing and something I experienced and was very proud of was the support colleagues gave to each other. Healthcare is a one of a kind career choice, and you really need the support of your colleagues - I’d like to think this is still the case for teams now and will be in the future as the NHS continues to innovate and care for our communities.