Sutton Coldfield resident, 101, recounts war-time nursing memories

A Sutton Coldfield centenarian care home resident has inspired nurses at Birmingham’s Royal Orthopaedic Hospital (ROH) with memories of her service during the Second World War

Now 101 years old, Joy McCliskie is a resident at Mercia Grange, a Care UK care home.

She worked as a nurse at the hospital from 1940-1948. During her time at the ROH Joy worked on the wards and in the later years in the outpatients’ department, then located on Broad Street.

Much of her nursing career took place during the war, a very different time to be a nurse than it is today.

Sophie and Helen, two nurses currently working at ROH, were enthralled by Joy’s memories of working during those years, from the use of frames for turning spinal patients to warming beds with stone hot water bottles and wearing tin hats when on night duty.

Michael McNelis, Home Manager at Mercia Grange, said: “Giving older people an opportunity to reminisce is at the heart of everything we do, so when the Royal Orthopaedic Hospital team reached out to us, we were excited to invite them in for a chat.

“Joy’s time with Sophie and Helen brought back many happy memories for her, and we hope it will inspire many others to follow in her footsteps.”

An ROH spokesperson added: “While the daily roles of nurses may have changed over the decades, nursing remains the lifeblood of the NHS.

“Our nurses work incredibly hard to care for the many patients who are treated at the Royal Orthopaedic Hospital, delivering compassionate care and helping patients regain their mobility, independence and quality of life.”

About the ROH

The Royal Orthopaedic Hospital NHS Foundation Trust is one of the largest specialist orthopaedic units in Europe, offering planned orthopaedic surgery to people locally, nationally, and internationally.

The Trust is an accredited Veteran Aware organisation and a Disability Confident Leader. Ranked eighth in the 2024 UK Inclusive Top 50 Employers list, the Royal Orthopaedic Hospital is the highest-ranking NHS organisation for its commitment to diversity and inclusion.

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