Late Wirksworth nurse Peter McCarthy was honoured at the opening of a new hospital suite

The family of Derbyshire nurse Peter McCarthy were VIP guests at the opening of a new outpatient block at Walton Hospital, Chesterfield, named in his memory.

Peter, a community diabetes specialist nurse, died following treatment for leukaemia in March 2014 aged 51, and his friends and colleagues at Derbyshire Community Health Services NHS Foundation Trust wanted to create a lasting memorial to him.

Peter’s wife Jannine and children Ella, aged 11, and Will, aged 7, from Wirksworth, were the guests of honour at a special ceremony to name the newly refurbished outpatient suite after him.

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William Jones, chief operating officer with Derbyshire Community Health Services NHS Foundation Trust, which runs Walton Hospital, welcomed Peter’s family and gave them a tour of the facilities before inviting Ella and Will to unveil a plaque in honour of their father.

William said: “Everyone who knew Peter remembers how caring and supportive he was, both to his patients and to his colleagues. He was a gentleman with a gentle nature who is greatly missed. He cared passionately about his work as a nurse and his dedication shone through in the care and consideration he gave to his patients.”

Peter McCarthy grew up in Derby and attended John Port School in Etwall. He worked at various hospitals around Derbyshire after qualifying as a nurse in 1989. He subsequently gained his district nursing qualification, with time spent at Kelvingrove Medical Practice in Heanor, before going on to introduce the role of diabetes nurse at Staffa Medical Practice.

Later, he worked across north Derbyshire, firstly in a new role providing diabetes education within primary care, and then with the community diabetes specialist team, visiting patients in their homes or in local GP surgeries. The new Peter McCarthy Suite includes nine clinical outpatient consultation rooms as well as three larger clinical areas – former ward bays – comprising of a gym, occupational health and group therapy areas.

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