A BARNSLEY councillor has retired from the NHS after working tirelessly for more than 40 years.
Coun Jo Newing, who represents the Old Town ward, began her general nurse training in 1976 in Eastbourne on the South Coast.
Following completion of her training she spent a year living and working in London.
In 1980 Jo moved to work on the Coronary Care Unit at Barnsley Hospital, where she spent several years.
Jo subsequently went on to train as a registered mental health nurse and took up a position at the old Middlewood Hospital in Sheffield, where she worked with patients to support their move to the community in preparation for the closure of the hospital.
Jo then worked with a GP practice in Sheffield helping to manage a pilot scheme that supported homeless people - this has now become a fully funded project.
After seven years with the homeless team, she took up a position with the Sheffield Child and Adolescent Mental Health services, where she spent a further seven years, working with young people who have ADHD and Autism.
In 2006 a position for an ADHD specialist became available in Barnsley, during this time Jo qualified as an independent nurse prescriber, which enabled her to manage the care of her patients more holistically.
Jo has worked for more than 17 years with the CAMHS service working with hundreds of young people during this time and she will be sad to leave, however she’s not going to be idle as she has recently taken up a position as cabinet member for place health and adult social care.
She told the Chronicle: “I have really enjoyed my time working within the NHS.
“Sadly the savage budget cuts this Conservative government have forced on the NHS are having a huge impact on communities like Barnsley.
“I hope to use the skills, knowledge and experience from my time within the NHS to serve the people of Barnsley.”
