AFTER more than four decades of deliveries to thousands of proud parents, the head midwife of York Hospital has retired.

Margaret Jackson, 61, said farewell to colleagues at Wigginton Road last week following a career which began in the 1960s and had taken in 43 years of changes.

Looking back on her career, Mrs Jackson, of Haxby, said it had been a privilege to be involved in the birth of so many children.

“I started my nursing training at Leeds General Infirmary in 1968,” she said. “I qualified and then moved to London to do my midwifery training at King’s College.”

Moving to York in 1978, Mrs Jackson took up a post at Fulford Maternity Hospital, before the service was moved to the York District Hospital in 1983, where she has remained throughout her long career.

“There have been a lot of changes over the years but it’s change for the good,” she said. “It’s very much a team approach, which works very well.”

She said the hospital supported about 3,500 expectant couples every year and each one was as special to her as the first baby she delivered.

“I think it’s the most fantastic thing to see and I feel so privileged to be there,” she said.

“It’s never lost its attraction for me although I’m not clinically involved as much as I was.

“I have been really lucky. I have had a fantastic team and we all work well together which made the job a pleasure.” Mrs Jackson said she know intended to “have a rest” and go on holiday, but was looking to keep herself busy with voluntary work over the coming years.

Libby McManus, the hospital’s chief nurse, said: “Margaret has been nurse and midwife for more than 43 years. She leaves with us her legacy of improved standards together with amazing care and compassion, not only for mothers and babies but for all colleagues who have had the honour to work with her over many years.”

A spokesman for York Hospital said: “Margaret has played a leading role in the development of maternity services for the last 33 years and has provided professional leadership throughout the trust and the wider region.

“As well as retaining her role as head of midwifery, she has also been deputy chief nurse, named midwife for child protection and supervisor of midwives.”