A neonatal intensive care unit doctor (NICU) whose work has helped save thousands of babies across Bradford and Yorkshire is retiring after almost 30 years’ of service to the NHS.
Consultant neonatologist, Dr Sunita Seal, retires tomorrow (March 31) having provided life-saving treatment to the 550 newborns seen each year at the Bradford Royal Infirmary’s neonatal intensive care unit.
The unit, which is part of Bradford Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, receives babies from the city and across Yorkshire as it houses an intensive and high-dependency care unit.
Dr Seal turns 60 in June and her husband, Arnab, a consultant in Neurodevelopmental Paediatrics, in Leeds, retires on the same day.
She said: “Bradford was my last rotation and that’s how I ended up at the Trust. I was told to try it out as they’d have a job at the end. I did and I have loved working here ever since.”
“The variety of work you don’t get anywhere else and that’s why Bradford is so popular with trainees as they see cases they don’t see anywhere and which are especially unique in neonates and paediatrics."
She added: “My colleagues and families are the best – the team here is absolutely amazing and that’s why once you come to Bradford, you are here forever."
Memorable highlights include the redevelopment of the unit into modern, fit-for-purpose facilities for families and colleagues in 2015, and achieving Baby Friendly Initiative accreditation from UNICEF in 2018 - the first unit in the UK to do so.
“I’m delighted to say that we have just been reaccredited with ‘flying colours’ which is an incredible achievement and so I leave on a high,” she said.
After meeting her husband-to-be while training at the Calcutta Medical College, the young doctors came to England in 1992 to continue their training.
But they soon returned to India to set up a hospital on the outskirts of Calcutta for people who couldn’t afford good healthcare – the first of its kind in India.
The pair came back to Leeds in 2001 so Dr Seal could finish her registrar’s training. She started work as a locum doctor in neonates at St. James’ until an opportunity came up which meant she could complete her training and work at other regional NICUs.
Chief medical officer at Bradford Teaching Hospitals, Dr Ray Smith, said: “Sunita has been an incredible asset to Bradford Teaching Hospitals, and to the babies and families she has cared for.
“Her leadership and support has enabled the NICU to thrive and develop into the fantastic unit we have today.”
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel