University connection for Sharon and Sheila

Sharon Farrell saw a familiar face when she prepared to give birth to son Regan six months ago at The James Cook University Hospital in Middlesbrough.

For her husband’s cousin, Sheila Enderwick, was one of the anaesthetic nurses who assisted the anaesthetist throughout Sharon’s caesarean operation.

The connection between the two women doesn’t end there. Sharon works at the University of Teesside, and Sheila has just achieved a BSc (Hons) degree in Promoting Practice Effectiveness from the University after two years of part-time study.

Part-time study Sharon, 50, from Marske, works as a Senior Administrator in the Academic Registry. In June she was admitted to James Cook for an emergency caesarean six weeks before her son’s due delivery. When rushed into theatre, she saw Sheila as part of the team.

Sharon said: ‘I recognised Sheila straight away as my husband Sean’s cousin, even in her scrubs! I couldn’t believe it, I knew she worked in the hospital but didn’t know she was in that department. I thought it was really nice keeping the birth in the family, that a relative saw Regan before us.’

Baby Regan weighed six pounds and spent two weeks in a neo-natal unit due to his premature delivery, before being taken home. He is Sharon’s third child and Sean’s first. Sharon’s other children are India, 24, and Gavin, 25.

Graduate Sharon added: ‘Sheila didn’t know I worked at the University, and it was only when I returned from maternity leave I saw she was about to graduate from here. I missed her graduation day as I was on a course but I’d have liked to have been there.’

Mother-of-two Sheila has worked as an anaesthetic nurse at James Cook for two years. She said: ‘I also recognised Sharon straight away when she was rushed into theatre and assisted the anaesthetist throughout her care; it’s all part of my role. It was amazing to be involved in the birth of my second cousin. Every birth is a joyous occasion, when it’s family it’s even more special.’

Sheila’s degree is her second Teesside qualification, having first achieved an Advanced Diploma in Nursing. She added: ‘I wanted to top up the Diploma to a degree, and I achieved this with the aid of the Trust. It’s been hard work but the end result has been worth it, it’s very pleasing.’

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