A special planting ceremony has taken place at Torbay Hospital to honour the service of all nurses, past and present.
Torbay Hospital Nurses League marked its 75th anniversary by planting the specially chosen pure white rose Tranquility in the hospital Rose Garden, which is run by Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust.
The planting was attended by Liz Davenport, Trust Chief Executive, and Jane Watson, President of Torbay Nurses League.
The ceremony was also attended by Trust staff Deborah Kelly, Chief Nurse; The Reverend Angela Sumner, Chaplain; Jo Brimblecombe, Hospital Site Services Lead; Annie Hall, Trust Governor; and Nurses League members Julie Back and Elaine Biden
Jane said the anniversary was due to be a more sociable event, but this had to be cancelled by the pandemic: “The league committee was greatly saddened when the 75th Anniversary plans had to be cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic. However, this was a lovely ceremony and we are very pleased at the support from the Trust.
“The importance of marking this historic milestone was paramount in order to reiterate the League’s Ethos of ‘Nurses’ supporting Nurses’.
“So, it was decided to buy commemorative rose bushes. The roses symbolise hope and new beginnings. This being so appropriate and signifying the importance of upholding the honour, dignity and values of the nursing profession.
“This is a time to acknowledge all nurses, past, present and future for their continued care, commitment and compassion to all patients in our hospital and community settings, particularly during these difficult times.”
A second rose has been planted in Homeyards Botanical Gardens in Shaldon, near Torquay, as a tribute to community nursing.
Members of Torbay Nurses League have all worked at Torbay Hospital and in the community over numerous years, encompassing all wards, departments and specialities including education and training.
Many were trained at the former Torbay Hospital School of Nursing. League members have a wealth of knowledge, skills and experience to share and are involved in hospital and community projects liaising with the Trust’s chief nurse and senior management, of which the League are proud to support.
Nurses League Membership is open to all nurses and midwives who trained at Torbay Hospital or who have worked for at least two years at the Trust or associated Hospitals or within Community Partnerships.
The aims are: To provide an on-going social network and support for nurses and midwives, to form a bond of union between past and present nurses, to uphold the honour, dignity and values of our profession and to support the advancement of nursing practice.
Pandemic lockdown was a busy and productive time for members who made 150 sets of hospital scrubs and 500 ‘comfort hearts’ were also made for patients and families. These were distributed through hospital wards, departments’ and care homes. Also, 170 re-usable masks were made for Rowcroft Hospice ancillary workers.
The Nurses League was founded in 1945 and currently has over 200 nationwide members. An annual Reunion is held at Torbay Hospital and a members’ magazine of news updates, activities, social events, including fundraising is also provided
The Nurses League affords the opportunity for members to continue supporting our local hospitals and community and remain dedicated to their nursing/caring profession.
The Torbay Hospital ceremony was also attended by Trust staff – Deborah Kelly, Chief Nurse; The Reverend Angela Sumner, Chaplain; Jo Brimblecombe, Hospital Site Services Lead; Annie Hall, Trust Governor; and Nurses League members – Julie Back and Elaine Biden
