A Walsall Nursing heroine’s kindness, compassion and dedication has inspired the development of a dementia suite at the Manor Hospital to ensure patients are supported by the most appropriate staff to meet their needs.
The Sister Dora Suite on Ward 29 also held its first inpatient dementia café on Wednesday 30 September, supported by Walsall Healthcare NHS Trust’s Older People’s Dementia and Delirium Team and Green Square Accord.
Dorothy Wyndlow Pattison, known as Sister Dora, nursed thousands of patients at two hospitals in Walsall during the 18602 and 1870s – many of whom were victims of industrial accidents.
Author Suzanne Stirke, whose family have connections to Sister Dora and has published a book about the caring Nurse who is often described as “Walsall’s own Florence Nightingale,” was among those visiting the unit earlier this week.
She said: “When I come to Walsall I’m overwhelmed to see how much everybody absolutely loves Sister Dora.
“She really is as relevant today as she was all those years ago when she left Yorkshire to come to Walsall and I’m proud to be able to tell her story in my book, hopefully giving people more of an insight into the wonderful, spirited woman she was.”
The Trust’s Well Wishers charity held a Sister Dora month of events throughout September, including a walk, as well as Suzanne’s book launch and supported the Division of Medicine and Long-Term Conditions team to arrange the dementia suite visit.
The suite was named following consultation with dementia care campaigners, volunteers and patient partners who wanted to acknowledge Sister Dora’s caring legacy.
Lisa Carroll, Chief Nursing Officer at Walsall Healthcare, said: “We are so pleased to have developed such an important unit where our patients living with dementia can be cared for in the right environment, supported by skilled staff who can best meet their needs.
“I was also delighted to meet Suzanne and it feels so fitting that the suite is named after Sister Dora who remains a role model for our new generations of Nurses.”
Willenhall company Dark Foundry No.8, which has been featured in Vogue at Home, has worked with Suzanne to create a Sister Dora scent and generously donated a luxury candle and wax melt gift set for a raffle which raised more than £100.
Well Wishers Patron Martin Gethin, former British lightweight boxing champion, was among guests visiting the Sister Dora Suite, along with Walsall’s Deputy Mayor and Mayoress and Trust volunteer Bill Ellens who takes care of the garden area outside.
And Chaplain Anthony Swaby gave the suite a blessing.
Georgie Westley, Fundraising Manager, said: “Martin handed over £1,100 to the suite, raised at this year’s popular charity boxing event.
“We have been able to buy Fidget Busy Boards, a bingo machine and accessories, jigsaws, board games, musical instruments and dementia-friendly clocks to name just a few items that the event has funded for the lounge area of the suite where the dementia cafes will be held.
“The charity was proud to work with teams to support the suite and provide refreshments for this week’s visit. We also want to thank Sugar Rush x cakes by Kirsty for providing special cupcakes.”