After 37 and a half years’ service Paediatric Assessment Unit (PAU) Sister Karen Matthews is retiring today and looking forward to a well-deserved rest.

Karen’s first Staff Nurse post was on Chester Ward which was the Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT) ward. Then, in 1995, when the first PAU opened in Walsall she was placed within the ENT ward and helped out there. Over the years she has worked on all four of the children’s wards there was, but finally settled into her role as a Sister within the PAU.

The mother-of-three said: “the highlight of my career has been when I helped develop the first advanced nurse practitioner course. I used to go to the regional offices so it was a really exciting thing to be a part of.”

When asked what she will miss the most Karen, aged 56, said: “I will definitely miss the people the most – colleagues, patients and families. It’s been wonderful to meet so many lovely people over the years.”

Her colleagues said: “We will be so sad to see her go and unfortunately due to the covid-19 pandemic she’s unable to have a goodbye get together but she is an absolute legend and we wish her all the best!”

During her retirement she will be doing “a bit of nothing” for a much needed break.