Newsroom
Midwife Diane marks an extraordinary milestone
In the year the West Suffolk Hospital marks its 50th anniversary, one of its midwives is celebrating an incredible 51 years looking after local parents and their babies.
As she came off her labour suite night shift on Monday, 5 August, Diane Hele was surprised to find West Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust (WSFT) chief executive Dr Ewen Cameron and executive chief nurse Sue Wilkinson among those gathered for the presentation of a glass trophy to recognise her loyal service.
Surrounded by her maternity colleagues, Diane, 67, said she loved her career, and was hoping to stay delivering babies and caring for parents at least until late next year – and maybe beyond. “I am so proud of the West Suffolk, and I have always had a passion for the job,” she said.
Ewen Cameron said: “We’re here to acknowledge Diane’s great achievement of 50 years’ service to the Trust and to the NHS. It really is something to celebrate, and I’m pleased to have this chance to say thank you on behalf of the Trust.”
Sue Wilkinson said: “Like you Diane, we are all so proud of the Trust, and of you for all the care you have given over so many years. Thank you for everything you have done.”
Diane was only 16 when she started work at the former West Suffolk Hospital in 1973, in the Theatre Sterile Supply Unit (TSSU), and stayed in theatres when she came to the “new” hospital in December 1973, before it was fully complete. Then from 1974 to 1977 she trained to be a state registered nurse (SRN), integrated with community nursing (SCM certificate), and after she qualified, worked as a staff nurse in theatres for a year.
“I married in the first year of my training, which was unusual then – I had to have special permission to have a honeymoon! I have been supported by my husband, Nigel, throughout my whole career,” said Diane, who lives in Beyton.
She then did her midwife training from 1978, qualifying in 1980, working full-time until 2011, and holding both sister and manager posts. Diane has been working part-time since then, mainly on night shifts as that is what she most enjoys.
Looking back on her career as she embarks on her sixth decade with the NHS, Diane said: “I’ve delivered babies for friends and relatives, including some of the staff here. I’ve delivered babies who have now gone on to deliver their babies - it must run into the thousands, and they are all amazing, though I do have special memories of some babies and mothers.
“I love my job and I can’t think of a better way to spend a career. I love the West Suffolk Hospital and I say that having been a patient here, in orthopaedics,” said Diane, who is back at work after recovering from a fractured wrist.
As well as the 51 years under her belt, Diane has many miles behind her, as she has taken part in charity bicycle rides all over the world for the Genesis Research Trust, which aims to progress the understanding of miscarriage, stillbirth, preterm birth, and reproductive cancers, in order to reduce preventable baby loss.
“This is a charity dear to my heart, led by Professor Robert Winston,” she said. “One ride was 1,095 miles, from John O’Groats to Lands’ End, which I did with Fern Britton. I will do anything I can to help maternity.”
Diane’s manager Trudie Curtis said: “I am thrilled for Diane to receive this recognition and this tribute to her years of hard work and dedication. She is an inspirational midwife who has contributed so much to sharing her knowledge and skills with junior members of the team, and to providing an outstanding level of care to the women and families she looks after. It has been a real pleasure to work alongside Diane for so many years and I would like to congratulate her on this huge achievement.”
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