Midwife faces three-year wait for surgery

SUZANNE Jones is a dedicated NHS midwife from the Amman Valley, who has helped bring countless new lives in the world for 30 years.

- SHAURYA SHAURYA Reporter

For the 59-year-old, her job is not just her work, but also her passion and she is driven by a desire to help women under her care.

However, since last year it has become more difficult for her to continue her work, and she eventually had to stop after having issues with her back.

Recent consultations have shown that Suzanne needs life-changing surgery, but it would cost £16,500 if done privately, or she would have to wait three years for surgery with the NHS.

But this wait is too much for Suzanne, who believes that she can use the time to help more mothers across the Amman Valley.

She said: "It's my want to improve maternity care and to make sure that the women and their families get an informed choice and to help them get the pregnancy and the birth that they desire."

Suzanne believes her role plays an integral part in a family's journey of bringing a new life into the world.

She said: "I feel privileged to be involved in such a significant part of people's lives. But it's a little bit more than that because it is their journey, their whole journey from conception to the birth and beyond, and it's giving a holistic approach to that process.

"So you're taking into consideration not just the physical aspects, you're taking into consideration their personalities, their background, any personal issues, mental health, and making sure that we have the whole family involved in that process, if that's what they want."

One of Suzanne's most memorable experiences has been participating in five of her grandchildren's births. However, at the start of this month, Suzanne was diagnosed with cervical radiculopathy. This means that there is an issue with her cervical spine at C5, C6 and C7 where a disc is protruding into her spinal cord, impinging on the nerves and causing the condition.