Kirklees nurse retires after almost four decades of caring for local people

A nurse from South West Yorkshire Partnership NHS Foundation Trust is retiring after 39 years of caring for people with mental health problems in the Kirklees area.

Karon Whitehead, who has worked for the last nine years as an acute hospital liaison nurse for older people at Dewsbury and District Hospital, began her career as a cadet nurse in 1972 at the now-closed Storthes Hall Hospital.

After completing her Registered Mental Health Nurse training in 1978, Karon worked as a ward sister until Storthes Hall Hospital closed. She then went on to work at St Luke’s Hospital in Huddersfield and later at the first mental health day service for older people in Dewsbury as a care programme approach manager and community psychiatric nurse.

Karon, 55, who lives in Huddersfield, said, "I have enjoyed meeting a wide variety of people throughout my career, and I am very proud of the training and education given to staff within the Trust. I have made many friends and worked with some outstanding and dedicated staff.

"I’m looking forward to spending my retirement looking into my family history, walking, running, and maybe doing some photography."