HOHC: Sister Patricia Mendonsa, Care of the Elderly Ward Manager
Sister Patricia Mendonsa, Care of the Elderly Ward Manager
“One of my earliest memories, from when I was around five or six years old, is of the large number of beggars on the streets in Mombasa, Kenya, where I was born. I couldn’t understand it fully as a child, but many of these people were suffering with leprosy, or other medical conditions, and were missing some of their limbs. I used to watch them beg passers-by for food, or money, and I dreamt about one day being able to gather up all of those less fortunate that I’d seen on the streets and caring for them. I’d provide them with hot water for showers, food and drink, a warm bed, and fresh dressings for their wounds. It became my childhood ambition to care for these people; at that time I didn’t know that in reality, my dream equated to becoming a nurse.
“Once I’d finished school at 16, I knew that I wanted to become a nurse. At this time we lived in Goa, India, my family having returned to Goa from Mombasa when I was 11 years old. Nursing school was only available to those 18 years old or above, so for two years I undertook other jobs such as typing and embroidery, whilst I waited to pursue my dream career. I was able to attend nursing school after those two years, and after three years and nine months of general nursing and midwifery training I finished the course in 1985.
“I moved to the UK in 1987, and started working for St Helier on 26 April 1987, having applie
d to be a registered nurse with the United Kingdom Central Council for Nurses and Midwifery. I lived in Ferguson House here at St Helier, and worked through the assessments I had to complete to become a general nurse here in the UK. I was asked to work on the elderly care ward as part of my assessments, and it was then that I decided that this was the ward I wanted to work on long-term. I remember being on the ward, looking at the elderly patients, some of whom had no-one to visit them, and thinking that this was where I wanted to give back – these are the people I want to give my care to.
“I became ward sister in 1993, but to be honest I never wanted to be a manager or a ward sister – it just wasn’t something I had seen myself doing in my career. The other staff on the ward encouraged me, and with their support I embraced the new role and I’ve never looked back. I’m glad that this was the profession I pursued – it’s hard work, but it’s rewarding. It’s always been my vocation.
“For me, seeing my patients come in – often quite clinically ill – and watching the change in them as they receive a combination of our care and medical attention, that’s what I do this for. Seeing the look on their faces, and the look on their loved ones faces, whether it’s a father, mother, grandma, or grandad going home healthy and well – that’s the real achievement.
“I’ve witnessed a lot of amazing moments of giving throughout my time working for the Trust, but one moment I’ll always remember, and it’s an act of kindness still making a difference today. In the early 90s we had a husband and wife admitted to our ward, they didn’t have any children and were quite frail. We looked after them and showed them the care and kindness that we show all of our patients. After their passing, we were made aware that the couple had left a £20,000 donation to our ward in their will. It was an incredibly humbling moment. With money like that we can make a huge difference to our ward, and improve the facilities we can offer our patients. We purchased a few items such as bedside bumpers for our ward beds, and bedside fans to ensure our patients can stay cool during the summer months. We still have some of the money left, and it’s always used in memory of that couple to better our ward and help us care for our patients.
“My proudest moment working for the Trust is the nomination I received for ‘Those Engaged in 
Frontline Nursing in the United Kingdom’. I didn’t know that I’d been nominated until I received an invitation from Buckingham Palace inviting me to meet His Royal Highness Prince Charles and the Countess of Wessex Sophie. I went to the Palace on 14 March 2018, alongside 50 or so nurses from across the UK who had also been nominated, and met them both. It was incredibly humbling, and an amazing experience. I am so grateful to the Trust for nominating me – I remember when I received the invitation, I could not believe it was me when I came to work the following day!
“I’m retiring in December, after 33 years of working for the Trust. It’s been my life, it’s my second home, and it’s supported me in gaining confidence throughout my career. I’ve valued every moment here, the good and the bad days. We’re honoured and privileged to be here, and with respect for each other, and a positive attitude to our work, we can make any challenge into a triumph – especially during this pandemic.”
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