Memory of Paediatric Diabetes Specialist Nurse lives on

One of Cwm Taf Morgannwg’s top specialist Diabetes nurses has had a bench unveiled in her memory at Princess of Wales Hospital, which was her place of work for decades.

Liz Addicott sadly passed away during the pandemic, and her family and the local family support group have bought a bench in her memory, which now sits in the Children’s ward garden at the hospital in Bridgend.

Liz was a Clinical Nurse Specialist and dedicated her career to children and young people with diabetes.  She was always there to offer them advice and support to help manage their condition or deal with their diagnosis.   

With 25 years of service for the NHS, Liz worked tremendously hard ensuring all her patients had the best care and support possible. She really made an impact on her colleagues and other clinicians across the country with her outstanding work ethic, and was admired by everybody. 

Her dedication to promoting diabetic services on a national level was recognised by all her peers, and she was loved by colleagues and patients alike. Liz would attend annual weekend camps with the children and young people, promoting education on diabetes and working with peer support groups.

Last week, a ceremony was held in the garden outside the children’s ward to formally present the bench to the hospital. Liz’s family, friends and colleagues all gathered to remember Liz. A heart in Liz’s favourite colour purple was laid on the bench.

Dr Nirupa D'Souza and Liz were colleagues, but more importantly friends for many years and spoke at the ceremony.  She said:  “All through her 25 years in the NHS, Liz was an inspiration to our team, a caring compassionate person who set very high standards for a specialist nurse and a stickler for detail.

She showed great courage dealing with her diagnosis which meant she had to retire prematurely and showed us that- ‘it wasn’t about the number of steps we take, but where we place our feet’.

She was much loved by her team and the children and families she looked after”.

While it was a sad occasion that Liz is no longer here, because of the impact that Liz had, it was also a happy occasion, a fitting tribute to an outstanding nurse, remembering her love, support and dedication to all the work that she has accomplished.