Saying goodbye to the Royal South Hants
On Tuesday 3 September, staff who have worked in Fanshawe and Lower Brambles wards at the Royal South Hants gathered together to mark the end of an incredible 19 year era, in which rehabilitation services have been provided at the hospital.
A beautiful celebration cake was made by assistant catering manager Naz Ahmed, who oversees delivery of inpatient meals to those staying on the wards at the RSH.
Angela Anderson, chief of nursing and allied health professionals, attended the event and spoke about the hard work and dedication of the teams working there through some challenging times. The afternoon was filled with people sharing memories and laughing together after many years working alongside one another, enjoying food and some well deserved moments of fun.
Sarah Wallis and Julie Mould were part of the group which organised the event and both made speeches. Sarah said, “The RSH is not just a job for many of us, but an extended family, and for myself I’ve gained a husband, too. We’ve shared many life experiences together and have celebrated world events like the jubilee and the King’s Coronation, and every year on Remembrance Sunday we’d observe the two minute silence and you could have heard a pin drop, it was so quiet. Thinking of that always make me feel very proud.
“We’ve also shared football World Cups and Euros with the patients. Recently, I was working on the ward when Southampton FC were promoted back up to the premier league, what an experience that was. I rejoiced with a 101-year-old patient who has supported the Saints all her life, and was shouting as loudly as anyone else at the TV for the referee to blow the whistle.
“Together we have overcome many challenges, the biggest being the pandemic. This brought us together and out life into perspective. I know I can speak for my colleagues and say that although it was a scary time, it was a privilege to be part of the NHS during that time.
“It’s great to join together today to show our appreciation to all the staff working here and say farewell to the RSH. We will miss you but we are all going to embrace our amazing new wards and make them the centre of excellence that we all know we can achieve. Here’s to the future, a new journey, new challenges and lots of new memories.”
Julie Mould has worked in the NHS for 35 years, and said, “When we came over here from Moorgreen in 2005 it was supposed to be for five years, so we are well past our sell by date! This has become so much more than just a workplace, we are friends, family and confidantes who support each other through challenges and always come together to provide the best possible care for our patients.
“As we step into our new chapter, let’s take with us our commitment to excellence, our belief in teamwork and our sense of family. It’s not the walls that make a hospital, it’s the people within them…but new walls will be good!”
Over the next few weeks the teams will be working as normal and slowly reducing their patient numbers, then after the building is completed and handed over to Solent NHS Trust at the end of September, equipment and supplies will be brought over to the new wards ready for patients to move across in mid October.