Carol is retiring after 51 years of caring for others | News

After dedicating five decades to the NHS, Carol Wilkins is hanging up her uniform, though she says she still can’t quite believe it.

Starting her journey at just 16 years old, Carol began as a pre-nursing student at Castleford College in 1974. From there, she went on to complete her enrolled nurse training at the School of Nursing at Pontefract General Infirmary, all funded by the NHS.

Throughout her career, she’s taken on a variety of roles in medicine, always driven by her love for caring for others. In 1999, she attended the University of Huddersfield and completed the conversion course to become a registered nurse. Soon after, she secured a band 6 post in cardiology at Pontefract Hospital, working in elderly care.

She later moved into a band 7 role at the old Pinderfields Hospital, working on ward 6, which specialised in stroke and neurology. “I was really sad to leave Pontefract,” she recalls, “but I loved the work at Pinderfields. Before the new hospital was built, we were based in the pre-fab huts.

When the time came to move from the old Pinderfields site to the new hospital, Carol was asked to help manage the transition. “We were the first team to work in the new building,” she says. “It was so much bigger, and there were plenty of teething problems at first, but it was an exciting change”.

She became well known for stepping in and sorting things out. “I was always the one they called when something needed fixing,” she laughs. That spirit saw her move to Dewsbury Hospital to work on ward 8 (respiratory) – a time she remembers as one of the happiest of her career.

I absolutely loved it there. The team were incredible – I still miss them now. I remember being greeted on my first day by Jo, one of the nurses, and she just made me feel like I belonged. Dewsbury reminded me of Pontefract; everyone said hello. It’s true what they say – when someone greets you with a smile, it can really make your day.”After a year at Dewsbury, another call came – “we need someone to go to gate 20.” There wasn’t much time to think it over – she was starting on the Monday! From there, she worked her way up to Matron, before moving on to manage patient flow across the Trust.

In 2015, life took an unexpected turn when she was diagnosed with breast cancer. After a year of treatment, including chemotherapy and surgery, all at Pinderfields, where she was well looked after, she returned to work in time for Christmas 2016. Just months later, a bad fall led to a broken leg and surgery involving eleven screws and a plate. “Other than that, I’ve hardly had a day off in my whole career,” she says proudly.

There are countless patients she’ll never forget – including one, Christine, from her days at Pontefract. “We didn’t get on at first,” she recalls, “but we grew close. Years later, I ended up caring for her again at Pinderfields.”

Now, at 67, Carol says the time feels right to step back. “I started at 16 so the NHS has been my whole life. I’ve seen a lot, been through a lot, and shared so much with so many wonderful people. I always say, if you cut me in half, it would say NHS right through the middle.”

She jokes about being a rebel on her last day – “wearing nail polish, hoop earrings and no tights” – but admits she just couldn’t do it. “I wear my uniform with pride. Always have.” As she looks ahead to retirement, she’ll miss her team most of all. “We’ve got a brilliant team in the Integrated Transfer of Care Hub. We really look out for each other. I just hope they don’t delete me from the WhatsApp group!”

Lyndsey Scaife, Head of Integrated Discharge at the Trust said “ After fifty years of remarkable service, it is both an honour and a bittersweet moment to celebrate Carol’s retirement. We are privileged that she chose to spend the final years of her career working within the Integrated Transfer of Care Hub.

She has been a dedicated, compassionate, and loyal member of our team. Carol will be greatly missed by her colleagues, patients, and their families. We send her our warmest wishes for a retirement that is as rewarding and fulfilling as the remarkable career she devoted to the NHS.”

Reflecting on how nursing has changed, Carol recalls the days of white shoes, ecru tights, and proper lunch breaks at the pub. “We’d have half a lager, a steak Canadian, and a good laugh. Sometimes we even did a bit of knitting on night shifts! Things are very different now – but I’ve always embraced change. It keeps you learning.”

Her advice to new nurses is simple: “Ask questions, read, and if you don’t understand something, research it. Find your own path. Mentors will guide you, but your career is yours to shape.”

As for what’s next, Carol has plenty planned – from spending time with her family and five grandchildren to exploring new places in her caravan. But first, she’s off on a cruise around Asia.

“I’ve loved every minute,” she says, smiling. “The NHS has been my second home – and I’ll always be proud to have been part of it.”