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NHS trust chief nurse to carry lamp in memory of Florence Nightingale

Sam Foster, chief nurse at the Heart of England NHS Foundation Trust, has the honour of carrying the ceremonial lamp in memory of Florence Nightingale next week at Westminster Abbey

The chief nurse at the Heart of England NHS Foundation Trust has been invited to carry the ceremonial lamp during the 50th anniversary of a special service at Westminster Abbey celebrating the life of Florence Nightingale next Wednesday.

Sam Foster Sam Foster, chief nurse, Heart of England NHS Foundation Trust


The annual event takes place on May 6, and the lamp is handed via a procession of nurses to The Very Reverend Dr John Hall – the Dean of the abbey – and placed on an altar. This movement of the lamp symbolises the passing of knowledge from one nurse to another.

Sam Foster said: ‘I am delighted to be selected to play such a key role on the 50th anniversary of this important service that celebrates the nursing profession. I’m looking forward to representing the trust and to meeting colleagues from across the country from different backgrounds. I’m sure it will be a proud day for me.’

Ms Foster oversees 5,500 nursing and midwifery staff. She qualified in 1993 and has experience in general medicine, practice nursing and critical care.