As local hospital and community services celebrate 70 years of the NHS, one family has been serving patients in Stockport right from the start. Madeline White, her daughter Helen Kershaw, and Helen’s niece Karen Murray represent three generations of local care at both Stepping Hill Hospital and the old Stockport Infirmary.
Madeleine, now 89, became a radiographer less than a year after the NHS was set up. Madeleine’s own mum had been a nurse, but she wanted to try something a little different. “They said I didn’t have the feet for nursing! Radiography was an interesting and different option for me to try out” said Madeleine. Madeleine, who worked at Stockport Infirmary, ended up giving over 40 years of service to the NHS before her retirement, helping to diagnose and treat thousands of patients.
Madeline has seen many changes over the years. She recalls one memorable incident from the early 1960s when a truckload of painter-and decorators had a crash off the A6 in Stockport. A number of them were taken to the department for x-ray scans, but there was a problem. “They were all too drunk to say their names! This was in the time before drink driving laws. We ended up having to call them ‘Painter 1’, ‘Painter 2,’ and ‘Painter 3’…..” said Madeleine.
Madeline’s daughter Helen got the inspiration to go into healthcare herself after spending time with her mum when she was on call. Helen was encouraged by the care she saw, deciding to go back to her grandmother’s example and become a nurse. She started her training back in 1986.
Over the years Helen has worked in nursing at a number of hospitals including Wythenshawe and Macclesfield, and even spent a time as a nurse on P&O cruise liners.
Now she is back as Deputy Director of Quality Governance at Stepping Hill Hospital, the hospital where she was born. Her work involves ensuring high standards of care and safety across the hospital. Helen said “Treatments and technology have moved on since the days when my mum worked here, but the core values of care remain the same.”
While Madeleine inspired daughter Helen, it was Helen who inspired her niece Karen to be a midwife. Karen spent time with her auntie during the birth of Helen’s son Charlie, which made Karen want to help bring other babies into the world.
Karen started training as a midwife in 1999, starting her career at St Mary’s Hospital in Manchester. She has been at Stepping Hill Hospital since 2008, and now specialises as the Safeguarding Midwife for Mental Health
Karen said “We’ve all had our different roles but it’s good to know we’ve been with the NHS right from the start.”
Helen adds “I’m very proud that three generations of our family have been able to serve the NHS, and it’s great to celebrate it as it hits its 70th birthday. The health service has had a great past and working hard to make sure it will have a great future too.”