The manager of Hereford County Hospital’s Special Care Baby Unit is retiring after 13 years providing specialist care for babies. 

More than 7,000 babies have been cared for in Hereford’s Special Care Baby Unit since Carol originally joined neonatal services as a staff nurse more than 30 years ago.   

Carol trained as a registered adult and children’s nurse in Bristol.  She started her career as a staff nurse in Hereford in 1978 on Christopher Robin Ward, before being promoted to ward sister.   Carol joined SCBU in 1982 as a staff nurse and was promoted 13 years ago to ward manager.

Carol said: “It’s been a very rewarding role caring for young babies and seeing babies go home with their family happy and healthy.  Babies born much younger are surviving thanks to advances in technology, knowledge and skills in neonatal care.

“I wish to say a big thank you to the people of Herefordshire who have shown great support and fundraised so generously to enhance the environment and facilities for babies and families in our care.  I would also like to thank my colleagues in neonatal care who work very closely together to provide the highest quality of care for babies in Herefordshire.  

“However, it’s time for me to spend more time with my family and friends, but I will still be working a few shifts on SCBU as a staff nurse”.

Maxine Chong, head of midwifery and nursing at Wye Valley NHS Trust, said: “We wish to express our gratitude to Carol for her hard work and dedication to both the neonatal services in Herefordshire and as a member of the wider neonatal network. 

“Carol has cared for many babies requiring additional specialist expertise and provided support for families over the years.  We are very pleased that she will be staying on to continue providing this specialist care with colleagues in the team”.     

Photograph – Carol Lamputt, Neonatal ward manager

END

Notes to Editors WVT:

• Wye Valley NHS Trust is the provider health services across Herefordshire and beyond. The Trust exists to improve the wellbeing, independence and health of the people we serve. We are the leading provider of health care in Herefordshire.
• By working closely with our partners, we can make good our promise to deliver a quality of care we would want for ourselves, our families and our friends.
• With an estimated annual turnover of around £160 million, we employ around 2,700 plus staff. We aim to build new relationships between our staff, patients, service users and their carers with the wider community.For further information please contact:

For further information please contact:
John Burnett, Communication and Engagement Manager, Wye Valley NHS Trust: 01432 372928 or Fiona Gurney, Communications Assistant 01432 355444  ext. 5105.