Nurse's name lives on in new ward
A much-loved, compassionate and dedicated nurse has been honoured with a ward in her name.
Dorica Mtonga died in June 2021, aged 54, after 23 years’ service in the Intensive Therapy Unit (ITU) at Hillingdon Hospital.
Now, after a five-month refurbishment, the space has been turned into a 14-bed surgical ward named ‘Dorica Ward’.
It was formally opened on Friday 1 December by members of Dorica’s family, friends and colleagues from the ITU at Hillingdon, which is now housed in the Seacole Building as a brand new, larger unit.
The ceremony was live streamed to Zambia by Dorica’s cousin, Audrey Wilding, for family back home in Dorica’s native land.
Among the tributes paid at the opening was a touching message from Elizabeth Mangosho, an ITU senior sister, who worked alongside Dorica. She said: “I’m very happy that our Trust and everyone involved has made such a gesture. It lets our hearts accept some closure.
“There is always a Dorica here; she is still in our memories. We still see her, still hear her giggling but we’ve healed and we are so happy that her family is able to be with us.”
Sarah Burton, the Trust’s chief nurse, paid tribute to Dorica and her colleagues. “Our ITU nurses choose ITU nursing because they can support people at some of the most vulnerable times of their lives,” she said.
“Dorica was clearly that kind of person, with such compassion, warmth and love for her patients.
“Being able to mark her life by naming this ward after her will enable her spirit to live on.”