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West Herts Hospitals’ pays respects to those lost during pandemic

Posted: 26 November 2021

Picture of a person standing in front of the watford rock choir and talking to others at a memorial service

West Hertfordshire Hospital NHS Trust (WHHT) held a moving service of remembrance on Sunday 21 November to pay tribute to friends, families and loved ones who passed away at their hospitals over the last year.

The palliative care team at WHHT organise a memorial service at the trust each year for both staff and families of loved ones who have sadly died.

The non-religious event, held at Watford Football Club, was an ‘affirmation of life’ – a positive service about the lives of those lost.

Plaques with names of loved ones who had passed away were placed on a tree in a symbolic act of remembrance.

Music was provided by the Watford Rock Choir, while readings were given by volunteers, the pastoral care team and the chief nurse, Tracey Carter.

She ended the ceremony with moving words: “On every plaque that has been placed today is the name of a person who has reminded us of the value of life.”

“That is what unites us all today – the knowledge that we care about the lives of those closest to us; we mourn those we lose, and we resolve, if we can, to take even better care of those who remain.”

Please click here to view the recording of the service.

Ends

  1. For more information, please contact the communications team on: 01923 436280 or email: westherts.communications@nhs.uk. Out of hours, please call the Watford General Hospital switchboard on 01923 244366 and ask for the on call communications manager.
  2. West Hertfordshire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust serves people from across Hertfordshire, north London and further afield. It operates from three hospitals; Watford General, St Albans City and Hemel Hempstead. The trust has a catchment area of over 500,000 people and is one of the largest employers locally, with around 5,000 staff and volunteers.
  3.  For more information about our hospitals, visit www.westhertshospitals.nhs.uk. You can also join our followers on Twitter (twitter.com/westhertsNHS) and find us on Facebook (facebook.com/westhertsNHS)