Making Waves October 07 - James Paget University Hospitals

Florence Nightingale
Commemoration
Service,
Westminster Abbey
In May, William Jenner, Staff Nurse on Ward 4, attended
Westminister Abbey for a Florence Nightingale Commemoration
Service. He thought he’d share the experience and his thoughts
about it with Making Waves readers.
William says: ‘Florence Nightingale is
best known for her work during the
Crimean War and for improving the
standard of nursing care. Her most
notable achievement was to raise nursing
to the level of a respectable profession for
women. Each year nurses, midwives and
health visitors, government ministers and
those associated with the Florence
Nightingale Foundation attend the
Florence Nightingale Commemoration Service held at
Westminster Abbey on a date close to Florence Nightingale’s
Birthday which is the 12th May. This year, the Service was
held on 9th May.’
‘The Nurses’ Roll of Honour - compiled in remembrance of
those Nurses who gave their lives in the Second World War
while caring for the sick and wounded - was carried into the
Abbey by a member of the armed forces and was escorted by
the three Matrons in Chief of Her Majesty’s Armed Forces.’
‘During the service, the Lamp – symbolic of Florence
Nightingale – was taken from the Nurses’ Chapel in the
Abbey and carried by a senior member of the profession; it
was handed from one nurse to another, then to the Dean,
who placed it on the high altar. This signified the passing of
knowledge from one nurse to another. This year the Lamp
was carried by Florence Nightingale scholar Sir Jonathan
Asbridge, escorted by student nurses
from the School of Nursing at the
Institute of Health & Community
Studies, Bournemouth University.’
‘The address was given by Group
Captain Wendy Williams – Defence
Nursing Advisor, MoD. She reflected
on the work carried out by all nurses,
particularly those who serve in the
military and the courage they display
whilst carrying out their duties under
extreme conditions.’
‘The Chelsea Pensioners were also in attendance at the
service in recognition of the work undertaken by Florence
Nightingale in reforming the armed forces during her
lifetime.’
William ends by saying: ‘Thinking about the service
afterwards, it’s easy to see how morale can sometimes get
low when you’re working as a nurse, whether it be in the
military or public sector. The service gave strength to
everyone present. To be surrounded by fellow colleagues
who have the same experiences, and to hear of heroic actions
by colleagues in the military, gave us the resolve to continue
working as advocates for those whom we serve, our patients.
William Jenner and colleagues
representing St John Ambulance,
Norfolk at the service.
Focus on our Bereavement Care Service
Nicky Downs and Steve Newman have taken up the post of bereavement
coordinator on a job share basis, and are currently in the process of
developing the service.
Steve and Nicky recognise and acknowledge that bereavement can be
difficult to deal with, both for the bereft and for health and social care
professionals alike. There are voluntary organisations, such as CRUSE,
which give valuable support. However, these organisations cannot provide
all the bereavement support needed within our community. Therefore,
the aim of this new service is to complement the work of these existing services, to provide additional support
to those who are bereaved.
The counselling service offered is currently in its infancy, and has limited counsellor availability at the
moment. Counselling can be offered on a time limited basis (six sessions), with experienced volunteer counsellors
or with Steve and Nicky. All clients referred have an initial assessment. Currently this service is available at James
Paget University Hospital, but the bereavement coordinators hope, in time, to branch out across the PCT locality.
The service is available for bereaved adults at least one month post bereavement (research has shown that
counselling is not conducive prior to this time period). Those referred must live in Great Yarmouth and Waveney.
Referrals can be made via any health care professional or indeed the client may self-refer. For more
information, or to get a referral form, give Nicky or Steve a call on ext. 3856.
12 October 2007 Making Waves
www.jpaget.nhs.uk