Sherwood Forest Hospitals’ first ever matron for sexual health, Mychelle Ward, is retiring after 50 years of nursing service to the NHS – 43 of them with the trust that runs Kings Mill Hospital in Sutton in Ashfield.
Mychelle Ward was just 19 years old when she began working on the wards at Nottingham General Hospital in the 1970s. She attained the title of Registered Nurse in the 1980s and began working at Mansfield General Hospital. She transferred to King’s Mill in 1986.
“Throughout her extensive and impactful career, Mychelle has left her mark across various wards and departments”, a hospital spokesperson said. “She has been a consistent figure in the trust’s sexual health services, helping to shape it into the service it is today.
“She was at the forefront of HIV care when it first came into the limelight, something she describes as a career highlight. Mychelle went on to be appointed as the first ever matron for sexual health at SFH back in 2016. A role she has seen through up until retirement.”
In addition to her work at Kings Mill, Mychelle Ward has applied her caring nature to other areas of work, using her spare time to work at care homes, shifts in different departments, and helping with primary care. “Mychelle is seen as a mentor by all her colleagues”, the hospital spokesperson said. “She is always the listening ear and there to give support when needed.”
Mychelle described her work at the trust as “a privilege”, adding: “I’m a local person so why would I want to work anywhere else when this is on my doorstep? I can’t express how pleased I have been to be a part of this service.
“I have enjoyed working with so many different people and networking across the Trust. I’ve supported staff within and outside my area and enjoyed being a part of so many Trust projects.
“We’ve had many ups and downs and it’s been difficult at times, but we’ve always come through it as that’s just the team we are. Thank you so much to everyone, I wish them all the success”
Mychelle has been awarded a Daisy Award, a prestigious award for Nurses and Midwives who show exceptional care and go above and beyond for their patients. Mychelle was nominated for the award by colleagues at Kings Mill for “the extraordinary care and dedication she has shown over the years, truly encompassing the values the Daisy Award is all about.”
“We are very sad to see Mychelle go”, the chief nurse at Sherwood Forest Hospitals, Phil Bolton, said. “She has been an integral part of shaping our sexual health services into what they are today. She has shown the utmost care, empathy, and professionalism to all her patients she has cared for and acted as a mentor to so many colleagues here.
“Presenting her with a Daisy Award was just one token of appreciation we could show. I know I speak for everyone here at the trust when I say she will be dearly missed. We wish Mychelle a long happy and healthy retirement.”
