Just weeks after leaving school, 17-year-old Sheila Boakes won herself a place on the orthopaedic nursing training programme at the Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital, Stanmore, where she gained her Orthopaedic Nursing Certificate. From then until her retirement this week (Jan 30) her nursing career has been focussed on providing patients with the best nursing and social support available so they can regain as much independence as possible.

 

Orthopaedic Sister Sheila Forno had two cakes to cut at her farewell party in the Rowley Bristow Orthopaedic Unit at St. Peter’s Hospital on Friday.

After completing her orthopaedic training Sheila then qualified at Hammersmith Hospital as a State Registered Nurse.  Marriage to Colin Forno brought Sheila and her husband to Addlestone and in January 1968 she joined the staff of the Rowley Bristow Orthopaedic Hospital at Pyrford.

Said Sheila Forno: “I was pleased to get back into the challenges of orthopaedic nursing once again. The Rowley Bristow and its consultants were, at that time one of the leaders in the field introducing innovatory procedures.”

When the hospital closed in the early 1990s Sheila and her colleagues moved to St. Peter’s Hospital where the Rowley Bristow Orthopaedic Unit was formed. 

 “I’ve seen lots of changes over the years, particularly in the decreasing length of patient stay in hospital, due to the changes in medical management.  By that I mean the surgical procedure itself, and how the patient is managed afterwards.  When I started my training, patients with hip replacements would be in hospital for often more than two months.  Now, the average length of stay is four days – a huge improvement! In the past, leg fractures were treated by immobilisation on traction for three months and without surgery. Nowadays, fractures are surgically fixed with metal plates, screws and other devices so that patients are able to leave hospital after a few days only”.

(left to right): Farewell Sheila! Sister Elaine Davis, Matron Mary Wardle retiring Sister Sheila Forno and Lead Orthopaedic Outpatient Sister Ann Fletcher – with Sheila’s husband Colin to the right pictured at Sheila’s farewell party in the Rowley Bristow Orthopaedic Unit on Friday.

         
Sheila has been a “pioneer” in changes relating to nursing practices.  As senior orthopaedic staff nurse Sheila was the first nurse to job share a post on a ward in the hospital.  Later, she was in the first team of pre-assessment nurses, assessing patient’s fitness for planned surgery close to the scheduled day of their operation. In the mid 1990s she became the first Discharge Sister in the hospital, as a link between the patient, the orthopaedic ward, the social care team and nursing colleagues in the community.

Sheila is keen to emphasise how fulfilling working in the NHS can be. Said Sheila: “It is very rewarding to see patients improve and to know that your involvement has made a small contribution to their health.”

Sheila and Colin, now retired, have lived in their Addlestone home for more than 40 years. One of their children has followed her into the NHS, daughter Claire is a nurse in an Oxfordshire Walk-In Centre and a Health Visitor.  Their eldest daughter, Sally and her family live in Horsell, and son Alistair live nearby. Of the eight grandchildren three were born at St. Peter’s Hospital.

 “Helping to restore patients to better health and getting their mobility back has been immensely satisfying.  Over the years I’ve met many very brave people who have worked hard to overcome their physical difficulties and it has been a privilege to help them.  Lastly, I’ve been very fortunate to have worked with a very dedicated and talented orthopaedic team.”

Sheila and Colin plan to enjoy the luxury of having free time at home and to travel on the spur of the moment.