Ryde Hospital midwife Kathy Lingard retires after 44 years

Ryde Hospital midwife Kathy Lingard has retired after 44 years in a job she described as her calling.

Midwife Kathy Lingard at Ryde Hospital with Cathy Thorpe, Elle Thorpe and her children Summer Pearce, 4, Zaelie Pearce, 2. Picture: Troy Snook

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In the grips of labour pains, Cathy Thorpe struck up a friendship with Kathy Lingard at Ryde Hospital in 1991 when she gave birth to her first daughter Kate.

“We really clicked and stayed friends,’’ she said.

“I just think it was our connection and beliefs; we’re both Christians.

“I suppose it’s just me. I never give a bit of my energy, I give extra.”

When Mrs Thorpe returned to give birth to her second daughter, Elle, she asked Ms Lingard to be her godmother.

Kathy Lingard has retired after more than 40 years. Picture: Troy Snook

Ms Lingard also helped deliver Elle’s daughters Summer, 4, and Zaelie, 2, at Ryde Hospital.

Last week, Ms Lingard aka “Aunty Kathy” retired after 44 years working as a midwife and 34 at Ryde Hospital.

Her friendship with the Thorpes is not isolated.

Almost 40 years ago, when Sarah Sheehan’s parents were told she would not live, Ms Lingard was asked to be her godmother.

“We had her christened and she’s still here,’’ Ms Lingard said.

“I see them as family.”

The village-raising-a-child adage is something the Ryde resident sorely misses.

“That aunty role is lost in the community,’’ she said.

The 61 year old does not have children but has found her job, which she describes as a calling, has allowed her to help others.

Kathy Lingard (second from left) with Cathy Thorpe, Elle Thorpe and her children Summer and Zaelie Pearce. Picture: Troy Snook

“When you’ve got your own children you have to give them your all but when you’re single and looking after family and community you have time.

“I’m the nurse and the midwife for everybody. You can help other people.”

Ms Lingard’s mother was a midwife and her twin sister studied nursing but worked at a nursing agency.

Ms Lingard came to Ryde Hospital after starting her career at Royal Women’s Hospital in Paddington.

A manager poached her and she began her career at Ryde when the maternity unit was at Denistone House.

“In those days it wasn’t panels and interviews and he knew I was an experienced midwife,’’ she said.

“I love Ryde Hospital. It still has that benefit of being a country practice but just a bit bigger.”

Over the decades, she has witnessed the nursing industry change significantly.

“What’s happened, the calling, the love, the common sense, the dedication, the empathy and compassion that was calling nurses to be nurses, they’re all leaving to be far more intellectual,’’ she said.

“When you’ve got all these people that are all intellectual, they don’t have the compassion ... they’re medical experts and you’ve lost the art of nursing.”

She also recalled when society treated nurses with great respect.

“We were treated with awe,’’ she said.

“They said ‘You’re a nurse? Oh really? God, nurses do a great job’.”

One change the 2011 Ryde Citizen of the Year has welcomed is women being in control when giving birth.

“There were these cold beds covered with green sheets and, heaven forbid, you see skin ... now women take the lead,’’ she said.

Despite the challenges of work, none have dimmed witnessing a birth.

“I still cry,’’ she said.

“You can check people’s tummies all the way through the pregnancy but then when the baby comes out everyone’s blown away.

“We are so privileged to be there to help these parents enjoy it and be ready to have this magical experience.”