THE retirement of a midwife and former maternity matron who has been pivotal in the expansion of Okehampton's maternity unit saw friends, colleagues and former patients turn out to wish her well.

Elizabeth Jeffrey celebrated her retirement last Friday at the Church House in South Tawton. She started her nursing career as a student midwife in South Africa, and returned to England to work as a staff nurse at Addenbrookes Hospital and St Thomas.

She then trained in midwifery and worked at John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford, before taking up the post of maternity matron at Okehampton District Hospital in 2001.

She led a small team of midwives, and was pivotal in the expansion of the service with the move to the new community hospital. The move saw increased numbers of both staff and births in the unit.

Sue Martin, maternity team member, said: 'Elizabeth is a midwife who led by example, and had huge respect and admiration from all her staff.

'The highlight of her time here would have to be the delivery of twins in the maternity unit during the snow of 2009 when all roads where closed, and even the Sea King helicopter turned back.

'During her time in Okehampton she has given so much to midwifery and all the women who she cared for, and her skills and support will be greatly missed by all her colleagues and patients.

'She can now have some well deserved time enjoying her garden.'

Elizabeth said: 'It was a fantastic day, and it was so lovely to see so many people I've met through my career, from former students now working as midwives to mothers whose children are growing up.

'I have all sorts of wonderful memories, and a lot I will look back on with great fondness.

'It will be the births I miss most. It is such a privilege to be part of that. Things have changed so much since I started in 1978. No-one had heard of a water birth, but now so many people have them.

'Being involved with a birth is such a joy and privilege, that is what I will miss most.'