Pendine Park bids fond farewell to 'Queen of Care'

Residents, staff and friends of Gwern Alyn Care Home have bid a fond farewell to Mildred Heyward – dubbed the “Queen of Care” - who has retired from her role as manager.

The 71-year-old, who worked as a nurse for 53 years, spent the final 10 years of her career at the helm of the home, which is part of the Pendine Park care group.

Speaking about her nursing career, which saw her work at Wrexham’s War Memorial Hospital and Chester Royal Infirmary, Mrs Heyward said: “I am very lucky because I have had a wonderful career. I enjoyed the way I was trained and brought up in nursing and those values have stood me in good stead. I gained a great deal of experience which I brought when I came to work in social care.

“Working for Pendine Park has been fantastic. I don’t think there is an organisation like them for giving training and opportunities to staff. I think it’s a wonderful organisation to work for.”

Her dedication to caring for others was celebrated during a special garden party, where Lesley Griffiths AM was among the guests of honour. Speaking about her relationship with Mrs Heyward, she said: “In 1980 Mildred was the sister in the eye department and I was a medical secretary. In those days I was terrified of her and I would never have called her Mildred but she was known throughout the hospital as being a very caring person who ensured her patients were always extremely well cared for. She transferred those skills into the social care sector and she is somebody I admire greatly and count as a real friend.

“I still can’t believe she’s retiring but it’s good to hear that those skills won’t be lost to the sector as she is going to be doing some consultancy work for Pendine Park.

“Anyone entering the profession would aspire to be like Mildred, she is fantastic role model and a remarkable lady.”

Paying tribute to Mrs Heyward, Pendine Park care group manager Mario Kreft said: “She is one in a million – a unique Queen of Care who is going to be a great loss to the organisation.

“Thankfully she will be working in a consultancy role and we have one or two projects lined up for her.

“To devote more than half a century to looking after public is something very special. She is a role model that any nurse should look to. She is held in very high esteem and great affection by colleagues, residents and relatives.”