Yorkshire doctor who saved the lives of thousands of poor babies who will retire after a 41-year career Yorkshire News

Consultant neonatologist Chris Day joined Bradford Teaching Hospitals in 1980 after graduating from the University of Leeds and the 65-year-old admits his interest was piqued by family stories of his own arrival.

He said: “My mother, when she was pregnant with me, had a condition that made the baby really anemic, with a real risk of death. It was the 1950s and we were in the early years of pioneering intensive care for babies. I was in the hospital for a couple of weeks and I like to think that’s why I’m a neonatologist ”.

Mr Day is based out of Bradford Royal Infirmary and when he is not providing life-saving treatment to some of the 550 babies seen by the neonatal unit each year, he can often be found reading bedtime stories to them.

He added: “When you resurrect a baby and he gets better, it takes you right there, in the heart. The tragedies of sick babies are particularly dire, but you can’t have joy without sadness. ”

She appeared on television last year and spoke with Stacey Dooley while filming for Panorama’s Lockdown Babies.

Bradford Teaching Hospitals Medical Director Dr. Ray Smith said: “Many thanks to Chris for all he has done for the thousands of babies who have come through his care throughout his 41 years in the neonatal unit at Bradford Royal Infirmary.

“Not only did he spend many years as the department’s clinical leader, he was also responsible for creating the best standards for the Yorkshire and Humber Neonatal Delivery Operational Network, which includes 18 neonatal units in Yorkshire, North Derbyshire and Northern Lincolnshire.

“As you hang up your stethoscope, you can be sure that you will be most sincerely missed, not only by your colleagues, but also by the many families who remain grateful for the care you have provided to their sick and premature babies.”

After retiring later this month, Mr. Day will conduct clinical case reviews for the Ockenden investigation, which is investigating more than 1,800 cases of suspected poor care and infant deaths at the Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital NHS Trust.