A former midwife is returning to the NHS frontline with Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells (MTW) NHS Trust to help with the coronavirus pandemic.

Sarah Gregson, who is also a registered nurse, retired in 2017 after 40 years of service within the NHS.

Now, Sarah is coming back and will split her time between Tunbridge Wells Hospital in Pembury and Maidstone Hospital in Barming.

Sarah said: "I couldn’t bear to watch this unfold and not try to do my bit.

“So far I’ve done three shifts back on maternity. I also attended the Trust’s Nurse Clinical Update training session last week in case I am deployed to nursing again.

"It is a scary prospect coming back to clinical work after so long, but my amazing colleagues and the Trust have been incredibly welcoming and supportive.

"There are huge pressures on the NHS across the country at the moment. What I know for sure though is that those who are pregnant or sick need our care and compassion more than ever in these difficult times and that is ultimately why I have come back.”

Sarah spent the last 14 years of her career at MTW NHS Trust and is returning to support her former colleagues.

A number of nurses Medical Laboratory Assistants, therapists and doctors will also be returning to the trust's workforce over the coming weeks.

More than 320 people have also applied to join its bank team to provide resources in clerical and administrative and clinical roles.

Sarah added: “It is great that others are coming back to the Trust to work but whilst the government is urging former medical staff to return to work we must remember it is not appropriate for everyone to come back.

“Many of my retired colleagues already play a vital role in caring for vulnerable relatives and friends or have moved on to other essential roles. Some have underlying health conditions. Ultimately each of us has to work out what part we should play in all of this.”

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