Renowned Midwife Ratna Retires after 40 years of service in the NHS

On the 2^nd April 2011, the Royal Surrey said goodbye to one of its longest standing midwives, Selvamalar Ratnasingam, affectionately known as Ratna to her colleagues at the hospital, after 32 years of work at the Trust.

Ratna was joined by colleagues, past and present, at a party to wish her well on her retirement and celebrate her long and successful nursing career.

Ratna began her pre-nursing course in East London in 1968 and undertook her nurse training at Whipps Cross Hospital.  In 1975 Ratna did her midwifery training at Newham Hospital and from there worked her way up the ladder.  She joined St Luke’s Hospital, the former Royal Surrey site, as a sister and moved to the current Royal Surrey in 1991. 

Ratna has had many roles during her career at the Royal Surrey including Senior Midwife, Midwifery Manager and Supervisor of Midwives, which is a vital role for the safety of mothers and babies.  Her passion was always midwifery; she loved caring for women and babies but she was also experienced in obstetric and gynaecological theatre nursing and was great in an emergency. 

One of Ratna’s closest friends and former Royal Surrey midwife Jyotsna Kamdar said:

“Ratna has been a fantastic employee of the Royal Surrey and they will miss her a lot.  She dedicated lots of time and energy to the hospital.  Ratna made lots of friends with her colleagues and was an excellent teacher.  She played a vital role during her career here.”

Ratna has delivered too many babies to count, including several babies of members of staff at the Royal Surrey.  Some of those babies have followed in their mother’s footsteps and now also work at the Royal Surrey.  Patient’s 1^st programme Director Ann Spence, who has worked at the Royal Surrey since 1984, had her daughter Madeleine at the Royal Surrey.  Madeleine was delivered by Ratna and now works in the Trust’s HR department as a Medical Resourcing officer.

Jacqui Tingle, Midwifery Matron at the Royal Surrey said:

“Ratna has had a full and rich career as a clinician and a manager, working originally at St Luke’s Hospital. She was intrinsic in moving the maternity unit over to the Royal Surrey in 1991.

“Ratna has had a marvellous career! As her manager I know that her colleagues would like to wish her a very happy and healthy retirement.”