Celebrating Florence Nightingale’s 201st Birthday
Today marks the 201st birthday of honorary nursing pioneer, Florence Nightingale, whose legacy continues to live on now more than ever.
In recognition, we are renaming London Road Community Hospital in her memory, so it will be known as Florence Nightingale Community Hospital from the start of July 2021.
So it seems entirely fitting to pay tribute to dedicated nurse, Florence Nightingale. However, most are unfamiliar with her younger days and connections to Derby.
Born in, and named after, the Italian city of Florence on May 12, 1820. It was not long until Florence’s parents relocated to the village of Lea in Derbyshire.
Situated near Matlock, Florence’s family found most of their fortune at this estate due to its industrial wealth and association with their great uncle, Peter Nightingale, who built the home.
The family relocated to Hampshire in 1825, and still kept their beloved Derbyshire home in Lea Hurst, spending most summers there.
Credited mainly with reforming in the 19th century, Florence became a nurse, often writing papers to alter hospital planning and organisation.
Florence also implemented renowned hygiene and sanitation practices across hospitals, which are crucial to our healthcare today.
Cathy Winfield, Executive Chief Nurse, commends the Derbyshire nurse for her duty as a nurse leader.
She said: “Florence Nightingale’s legacy of nursing care, education and values have been exemplified through the generations.
“Today’s nursing and midwifery leaders describe her work as critical to their practices and professions.”
The rename of LRCH to FNCH would mean all UHDB community hospitals will be named after local pioneers, such as Sir Robert Peel Community Hospital in Tamworth and Samuel Johnson Community Hospital in Lichfield.
Cathy added: “Florence has family connections in Derbyshire, so what better way to honour her legacy and recognise UHDBs most outstanding nurses, midwives and nursing associates on the 12th May.”
Having a hospital in Derbyshire named after Florence Nightingale will only strengthen the link between her work and the NHS today.