Posted on 28-May-2019   by Imogen Jones

Inspirational nurse teams up with us to send supplies to African project

Jane Smith | Inspirational nurse

(Image credit above: Barnsley Hospital Facebook Page Post celebrating Jane’s ‘Brilliant Staff Award’ in December 2017).

A retired nurse’s mission to support schools and healthcare provision in Uganda, has been given a boost with a donation of much-needed clinical waste containers and trays from Daniels Healthcare.

Jane Smith from Barnsley, a lifelong volunteer, hopes the medical provisions will improve cleanliness, provide sharp safety and effective waste management, and is planning to return to Uganda later next year to see the programme’s progress.

Jane says: “When I first went out to Kampala in Uganda, I didn’t plan to have any part in clinical work.  The project was to support a medical centre, church and two schools, and assist in leading a women’s conference. But within a day of the trip I ended up assisting at the birth of a baby! I realised, after seeing the basic practices they were using, that I could make a real difference to the patients and clinicians by helping them to make small changes. The new trays and containers, kindly donated by Daniels, will help them use the ANTT (Aseptic Non-Touch Technique) to ensure things are kept clean and that sharps can be disposed of at the point of care.”

Jane spent 40 years at Barnsley Hospital before retiring in 2017.  After 30 years in operating theatres, Jane worked in infection prevention and control and subsequently became a matron with a strong focus on patient safety, quality assurance, clinical effectiveness and patient experience.

Jane says: “I always knew that I wanted to be a nurse. About the same time that I started volunteering, I started my pre-nursing, and subsequently completed my nurse registration; I then went on to undertake midwifery in London and then headed back up north intending to complete a theatre nursing qualification”.

She started volunteering when she was 17 years old, following in her grandma’s footsteps who was a volunteer visitor up to the age of 90! Jane’s first volunteer role was in a psychiatric ward where she made teas and chatted to patients, and she still volunteers for Barnsley Hospital today.

We will be keeping you updated on Jane’s work with another blog post on her planned trip back to Uganda later next year. In the meantime, you can find out more information about River Jordan Ministries on their website.

Imogen is the Product Manager for our SHARPSGUARD® range, and our Marketing Manager for the UK & Ireland.