15 July 2025
After an impressive 50-year career in the NHS, much-loved School Nurse Julie Thomas is retiring, leaving behind a remarkable legacy of care and compassion.
Having started her career on 25 August 1975, Julie has spent the past five decades devoted to the health and wellbeing of children and families across Wolverhampton.
For the last 38 years, she has been a dedicated School Nurse in Bilston, where her work has come full circle—caring for the children of the parents she once looked after.
She said: “I started in 1975 as a cadet at New Cross Hospital.
“My friend got an interview to be a cadet and I thought that sounded good so went for it as well.
“I then worked for three months in Microbiology, taking samples to the lab and watching the process.
“I also worked on the Children’s Ward at the former Royal Hospital and Edward Ward.
“In 1976 I worked at Penn Children’s Hospital which was eye opening – caring for some of the most vulnerable.”
Julie also spent some time working at the Eye Infirmary.
She said: “It was very strict there – you would have to stand up everytime a Matron came into the room. I learnt a lot there. “
She moved into School Nursing on 2 June 1986 and hasn’t looked back since.
“It’s been the privilege of a lifetime,” said Julie reflecting on her milestone. “When I see the sons and daughters of former children I was a Nurse for coming through the doors, I feel such joy knowing I’ve been part of their family’s journey for generations.
“I will really miss my colleagues; we feel like one big family. They are all fantastic and do an amazing job.
“I will miss everything about the job – the parents, the children and the staff.”
Over the years, she has supported countless families through everything from routine check-ups to moments of crisis.
To celebrate her retirement, her colleagues organised a special lunch, where past and present students, families, and colleagues came together to honour her outstanding service.
Emma Jones, Group Management PA for Children’s Community Services, 0-19 and Children and Young People In Care (CYPIC), said: “I grew up in Bilston and Julie was my School Nurse. I remember her being someone that was always there to offer help, guidance and support to myself and other pupils at school. She demonstrated so much care and compassion.
“Now looking at things from a different perspective, I have been working with the School Nursing Service for 15 years and Julie’s passion and dedication to her role has remained consistent through the years.
“I cannot imagine the School Nursing Service without Julie – she is just wonderful and will most certainly be missed by everyone who has ever had the pleasure to work with her or be cared for by her.”
Hazel Hawkins-Dady, Matron for School Nursing, said: “I want to take this opportunity to say thank you, for the dedication Julie has shown, to the children and young people in Wolverhampton and the School Nursing Service over the past 39 years. We wish Julie all the happiness in the new chapter of her life. We all want to wish her all the best in her retirement and will miss her very much.”
Julie plans to spend her retirement making more time for her family, her husband Michael, two daughters Laura and Emma and three grandchildren Theodore, Sebastian and Orson.