Published on: 28 February 2023
An award-winning midwife and mentor is looking forward to spending time with her own children and grandchildren as she retires after 30 years in the role.
Lynn Metcalfe began her midwifery training in 1993 after first setting out on her NHS career aged 18 as a student nurse then staff nurse at Ryhope General Hospital.
The Trust's Maternity team as they celebrated Lynn's win as Midwife of the Year 2018 at the Sunderland Echo's Best of Health Awards.
Lynn has been mentor to many colleagues as a supervisor and Professional Midwifery Advocate, supporting many women who have decided to give birth outside of clinical guidance through complex birth plans.
In 2018, she won the Sunderland Echo’s Best of Health Midwife of the Year Award.
The Trust's Maternity team as they celebrated Lynn's win as Midwife of the Year 2018 at the Sunderland Echo's Best of Health Awards.
Now, after delivering generations of Mackems at Sunderland Royal Hospital and out in the community, she is ready for her retirement.
She will spend her new-found spare time with husband Gary, with the couple recently celebrating their Ruby wedding anniversary.
Lynn will also be able to see more of daughter Charlotte, 33, who lives in the Scottish Borders with her children Ida, eight, and Rufus, three.
The couple’s other daughter, Danielle, 37, now lives in Sydney, Australia.
She is a member of the Calvary Christian Fellowship in Silksworth and loves walking, with the Lake District one of her favourite places to visit.
To mark her retirement, Maternity Support Worker and fellow church member Bethany Adamkiewicz presented her with a photo book featuring the 28 babies she helped deliver within the Christian Fellowship - including Beth’s four children.
Lynn said:
"I truly believe pregnancy and birth is a journey, not just an end product, and that women need to feel supported and empowered on that journey.
"During my career I have really enjoyed being a mentor to student midwives, I feel really proud watching them develop into caring, compassionate, strong midwives.
"I have worked with the most amazing team, have made lifelong friendships and feel so blessed to have had such a lovely career in nursing and midwifery.
"I am looking forward to keeping healthy and having more free time to spend with my friends and family."
South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust’s Head of Midwifery Dawn Edmundson said:
"We are devastated to say goodbye to Lynn.
"She has been a good friend and colleague to those in our department over the years and we wish her a happy her retirement.
"She leaves behind a legacy through the midwives she has helped train.
"She has welcomed so many babies into the world, we know people will join us in wishing her well and sending their thanks for the care and support she has offered during her time as part of our own maternity family."
Lynn Metcalfe looking through the book presented to her by her church.
Beth added:
"Lynn is a treasured member of Calvary Christian Fellowship Church, where she has supported many friends as their midwife and delivered a total of 28 babies over the years.
"I know she would want me to say that it has been her privilege to support us - that's just what she's like, she always puts others before herself, which is testament to her heartfelt Christian faith.
"Lynn's skill, wisdom and love for us has been invaluable, and we couldn't possibly let her retirement pass without marking it with something extra special, so we collected this birth stories and photos.
"We know she will love reflecting on all the beautiful babies and experiences.
"I've had the privilege of knowing Lynn as a colleague as well as a special friend. She has gone the extra mile for patients and colleagues more times than could be counted."
