Former international sprinter and renowned NHS nurse Matron Rose Amankwaah, dubbed the “fastest woman in Africa,” is retiring after over 50 years of service.
The theater matron, who represented Ghana at the Olympics and Commonwealth Games, joined the NHS in 1975, shortly after competing in the Munich 1972 Olympics.
According to Sky News, Amankwaah, also known as Matron Rose, worked exclusively at Central Middlesex Hospital in London throughout her nursing career. She was first given weekends off to pursue athletic training. The Ghanaian athlete excelled in several prominent tournaments, including the Africa Games, Commonwealth Games, and Olympics. She earned a bronze medal at the 1974 Commonwealth Games in New Zealand.
Amankwaah, who moved to England in 1974 at the age of 22, began her nursing career shortly after her arrival. Starting as a staff nurse, she progressed to become the theater matron at Central Middlesex Hospital in London.
Her remarkable dedication and services to healthcare were recognized last year when Dame Ruth May, England’s chief nurse, presented her with the NHS Silver Medal Award.
She was quoted as saying: “I’m happy that I’m going to have some time with my family but I have been in this hospital all my life, so retirement feels like losing something – you’re part of the furniture, and all of a sudden you are not going to be,” according to a story by the BBC.
“But I’m so happy that I have achieved what I want to achieve.”
During her time in theatres, she witnessed significant advancements in surgery, beginning with “open” procedures and progressing to laparoscopic, keyhole, and robotic surgeries.
As she prepares for retirement, Matron Rose’s first stop will be Ghana to see her 87-year-old sister, with several other trips planned. Retirement will allow her to witness the Paris Olympics in the summer.
She reflected on her racing career, recalling that she began running in 1958 while in secondary school in Ghana.
“I started representing Ghana with a high jump but then a coach came to me and said they would like to train me in 100m and 200m races.”
A representative for the London North West University Healthcare NHS Trust stated, “The NHS is all about people, and we will all miss Rose when she leaves.” She is a fantastic nurse and personality who, even after 49 years, knows how to set the pace and run the race.