A CARING nurse who has dedicated more than 50 years to helping Silhillians in their hour of need has retired.
Shelia Pinner started her training as a nurse at the Queen Elizabeth School of Nursing in Edgbaston in January 1963 before embarking on her journey to maternity units, Obstetrics and Gynaecology and onto Pre Operation Assessments.
The 72-year-old has seen many changes over the years including a Maternity Unit being opened and closed and knocked down to be part of the car park.
She has also seen the new hospital being built and being merged with East Birmingham Hospital then latterly merged with Good Hope to become Heart Of England Foundation Trust which is set to be merged with University Hospital formerly the Queen Elizabeth Hospital where Sheila started as a student nurse.
Speaking to The Observer Shelia said: “I have worked with some lovely people over the years and I will miss them.”
She added she intends to travel, continue with her research into her family history and spend time with her family including her youngest grandchildren who live in Chester and who knows she maybe a lady who lunches.
Sheila first started working at Solihull in Obstetrics and Gynaecology in February 1972 when it was Brook House, Netherwood and Ward 10.
Sheila returned to work in August 1975 after having her third child and she worked on the labour ward looking after the post cesarean mothers but eventually worked predominantly on M1 the Gynae Ward.
In 1996 Sheila moved to the CARE4 Suite, so called because it did 4 things ie Colposcopy, Fertility, Hysteroscopy and Menopause.
It also did research in the menopause clinic and patients were able to claim back money for expenses from the pharmaceutical company doing the research.
Sheila was only supposed to be there for 3 months but ended up staying for 15 months.
She then became part of the Pre Op Assessment team where she made sure a patient was fit enough for surgery.
Shelia marked her retirement with a farewell meal at St Johns Hotel and she met with a smaller group for a curry a week later.
All pictures courtesy of Steve at Seven Star Photography.
