A FORMER York midwife has marked 50 years of working for the National Health Service.

Chris Weavers, of Woodthorpe, who also celebrates her 68th birthday today, started training only days before her 18th birthday in 1960, said a friend, Lynda Penlington.

She moved to Jesmond Hospital in Newcastle in 1964, and then moved to Glasgow, Leicester and London, before arriving in York in 1980. She worked as a nursing officer, initially at Fulford Maternity Hospital, before the department was transferred to the new York District Hospital.

She retired from active midwifery in 1997, but did not want to leave completely, and became an administrative officer attached to the maternity unit, dealing with staffing.

Lynda said Chris was even at work on Monday, the day of her golden anniversary.

“Goodness knows how many thousands of babies she has delivered during her career,” she said.

“I think this will be of interest to many mums in York, and wanted some acknowledgment of the hard work and dedication she has shown in the field of midwifery.”

Chris said: “I have really enjoyed my time working in the NHS. I wouldn’t have worked for it for so long if I hadn’t enjoyed it.”

She said midwifery had changed a great deal over the decades, with the introduction of new procedures, such as epidurals, and an increase in the number of caesarians. Midwives faced different stresses now to when she started.

Chris said she planned to work a little longer in admin before finally retiring.

Liz Ross, matron for maternity services at York Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, said: “Fifty years in the NHS is an amazing achievement which not many people reach. She is a highly respected and valued member of our team and we would all like to congratulate her on her golden anniversary.”