As a retired district nurse with the overnight out-of-hours service I know how much support the Marie Curie nurses can be. We in the out-of-hours service worked closely with them at all times.
Mr Evans and his much-loved wife will, I am certain, have been known to the district nurses and visited by them as part of the care plan for his wife's nursing needs.
I do feel, however, as a retired out-of-hours nurse since 2005, that little has been said about district nurses, in particular in the realm of palliative care.
I have read in the Courier many tributes and thanks to the Marie Curie and the Macmillan services, which are very well deserved. From 1984 I worked as a district nurse on days but when the out-of-hours service was launched in 2000 I was proud to be one of the pioneers.
The nurse who masterminded this invaluable and vital service – how ever did we manage before it began? – has never been recognised for the wonderful work she did.
I am not allowed to speak her name but I hope that one day she will be recognised for the dedication and countless unpaid hours she put into the promotion and success of this service in its invaluable support and care of the terminally ill.
In Calderdale we have our own Florence Nightingale/Mother Teresa in our midst and I, other community nurses and the Marie Curie nurses and carers were privileged to be part of this nurse's team.
It is good to hear that the public now have the help and support they need from dedicated nurses throughout the 24 hours.
Patients and their families, despite the sad circumstances which necessitate our visits to their homes, have been a privilege and pleasure to work with and it is gratifying to know that, with a little professional input, people manage to care so well for their loved ones at home.
I was sad to leave my nursing career but hopefully the shining example shown by our leader will continue to light the way ahead.
Barbara Green