Florence Nightingale Community Hospital's Ward 2 celebrates five years of exceptional care in milestone anniversary of ward's opening
Staff, families, and friends recently gathered to celebrate five years of compassionate care on Ward 2 at Florence Nightingale Community Hospital (FNCH) - a dedicated place to care for patients reaching the end of their lives.
Opened in January 2020, this 14-bed ward has supported over 3,000 patients on end-of-life care and their families, supporting them during the most challenging time. The ward plays a crucial role in the last stages of a patient's life - everyone has the right to a good death, one that is personalised to each patient and respects theirs and their family's wishes.
To mark the five-year milestone, the team hosted a heartwarming event that brought together Ward 2 and other UHDB colleagues alongside 'friends – past and present', to reflect on their journey and honour the lives of every single patient they have cared for.
A special feature of the celebration was a commemorative board displaying a gold star for every patient treated on the ward, with their initials inscribed. Dawn Wilkinson, Senior Sister on Ward 2, said that the event was "all about celebrating the incredible work that has gone into this ward".
Dawn said: "We've gathered today to remember all of the patients and families who have touched our lives, and I hope whose lives we have touched in return.
"It’s also a chance to reflect on how far we’ve come in five years. This isn’t just a ward – it’s a place of comfort, peace, and dignity, where every detail is designed to make the experience as positive as it can be for patients and their families.”
Ward 2 was initially launched as a temporary “winter ward” to relieve pressure on our hospitals during the busy winter period. However, thanks to the vision of its founding team, including Karen Bussooa, the ward transitioned into a permanent end of life care facility.
Karen, who was Lead of the End of Life Care team at FNCH at the time and has since retired from the NHS, reflected on the ward’s beginnings, saying: “When we set up Ward 2, we wanted it to be more than just a clinical space. It needed to feel like a home away from home. From the layout of the rooms to including toys for younger family members, every decision we made was with patients and families in mind. I’m so proud of what this team has, and continues to achieve.”
Karen also shared a deeply personal connection to the ward. Her late husband, Paul, was cared for on Ward 2 during his final days, and was admitted almost a year to the day after the ward first opened.
She shared: “Paul was a nurse himself, and when he became poorly, he wanted to be back where his career began, at the 'DRI' - the old Derby Royal Infirmary, which of course is now FNCH. His last five days on Ward 2 were everything we needed – peaceful, dignified, and surrounded by love. That experience reinforced just how vital this space is.”
Ward 2’s unique environment prioritises comfort and personalisation, providing families with the chance to stay overnight, share meals, and even bring in pets or meaningful items from home.
Dawn highlighted the extraordinary lengths the team goes to, doing all they can in their shared goal of making those final moments as special and personal as possible:
"We’ve had pianos brought in for patients, and even pets – from dogs and cats to, believe it or not, a chicken!
"As strange as it might sound to some, facilitating a 'good' death is of paramount importance to us. We work closely with our Infection Prevention Control team and colleagues from across the Trust to make these final wishes a reality.
"The dedication of the staff is central to Ward 2’s success. We have some of the best retention rates in the Trust because people love working here - and the feedback we receive from both patients and their families speaks volumes about the compassion and excellence that runs through every part of this team.”
Karen added: “A good death is about being in the right place, surrounded by the right people, and feeling at peace. It’s one of the most important things we can do as a healthcare provider - and I'm so proud that this service that I helped set up half a decade ago still does all within its power to give people that opportunity.
As Ward 2 looks ahead to its next five years, the whole team remains committed to breaking down the taboos surrounding death and dying. Dawn concluded: “We need to talk about dying. It’s not an easy subject, but it’s so important. Ward 2 is proof of what can be achieved when we prioritise dignity and care at the end of life. It’s the gold standard of compassionate care, and we’re proud to share that message with our community.”