Staff Nurse, Maggie Hirst, is retiring this week after 47 years working in healthcare.

After qualifying from The Willows School of Nursing Halifax in 1977, she worked in various nursing roles, including district nurse liaison where she helped pioneer the new computer referral system.

Maggie was quickly invited to join a newly-set-up nursing service in a Special Educational Needs and Disability school (SEND) and became a permanent member of the team in 1992. She continued to work in various SEND schools and will be retiring from Wood Bank School in Halifax, where Maggie has seen four head teachers come and go in her time working there.

Looking back on her career, Maggie said: "I loved it from day one. The children are amazing, and I have been very lucky to have made some fantastic friends all over the Trust and in the schools.

"I hope the students today are lucky enough to enjoy nursing as I have. I hope that somewhere in those 47 years I made a small difference."

Children's Community Nursing Team Manager, Joanne Ineson, said: "Maggie is the heart and soul of the school, she's a great character and is well known to many across the Trust in her varying roles.

"She has a heart of gold and she has been a fantastic person to have in the team. She is very thoughtful and would always buy a tasty pastry treat if she knows you're going to call in to see her."