JANE Hamilton, the nurse who helped grow the Great Oaks Dean Forest Hospice into a 3,000-patient facility, has been appointed its vice-president on her retirement.

The clinical nursing manager, from Sling, who had two patients when she started working at the new hospice in 2002, was given a rousing send-off at Great Oaks by more than 40 staff, friends and family.

Jane, 64, said: “I’ve worked at the hospice for 15 years. We started as a small team working at the Dilke Memorial Hospital one day a week and then it went on to offer a broad range of services.

“I’ve always had a passion for caring. I hope my work has made a difference. I feel pleased to have helped so many people at the end of their life.

“For the time being I have no plans whatsoever for the next month. I just want to take the time to relax and think about what I’ll do.”

Fellow nurse Ellen Ralph, who started work at the same time as Jane, read out a poem she had composed at the farewell do on Friday night.

Hospice founder Sheila Evans also paid tribute to Jane’s commitment and determination and said she was proud and privileged to have been involved with Jane during the ’Hamilton years’.

Sheila’s husband Ceri, who is chairman of the hospice announced that Jane was to be appointed its vice-president.

Delighted with her farewell gifts - including tickets to a Cliff Richard concert - Jane said it had been a huge honour to be part of Great Oaks Hospice.

She came into nursing as a mature student at 40, following years moving around the country with her Army husband Fred.

Before leading the team at Great Oaks, she had worked as a nurse at St Peter’s Hospice in Bristol and Cinderford’s Dilke Hospital.