District nurse hangs up uniform after 38 years

Dorothy Seaman's career began when she did her nurse training in North Ormesby Hospital, Middlesbrough, and after qualifying three years later, became a staff nurse at the hospital for a year.

After a few years break while bringing up her children, Mrs Seaman, from Ingleby Barwick, continued as a staff nurse for seven years at Hemlington Hospital.

She then took up the challenge of district nursing in Billingham for ten years, before spending the past 17 in Thornaby.

She said: "I am leaving district nursing as happy as when I went into it. There have been many changes since I started out in a cramped old Victorian hospital.

"However, what hasn't changed is that patients still want a kind face and a person who can look after them who they can trust."

Mrs Seaman plans to continue her work as a school governor at St David's College in Acklam, Middlesbrough, and hopes to do some voluntary work in the college's textile department.

She is also looking forward to visiting her five grandchildren and playing tennis with her husband.