Nottingham CityCare honours family nurse and health visitor’s legacy

Nottingham CityCare Partnership, the city’s largest provider of community health services, will honour a much-loved and respected family nurse and health visitor who died unexpectedly in 2021, aged 54.

Dorette Allen, who dedicated her working life to promoting health and development of vulnerable children and adults, will be recognised during CityCare’s Celebrating Excellence Awards on Friday, June 28.

This year’s Working in Partnership Award will be presented in Dorette’s name at the ceremony.

Dorette, was a strong advocate for her patients and their families, making sure they had all the help and information needed to make their own choices.

She was also committed to supporting her team and CityCare colleagues to reach their goals through training and hard work.

Dorette’s partner Judi Juno said: “Dorette believed her role was to give her patients the knowledge, confidence and strategies to make their own choices for themselves and their children.

“As a working class, single mum she had some similar life experiences which helped her in her relationships with young parents.

“She also believed in trusting her instincts and wasn't afraid to raise issues when she thought it necessary. She was very supportive of her colleagues, willing and able to offer advice if asked or needed often with her characteristic smile. She was a lot of fun as well as caring.”

Colleagues Julia Smith and Jen Pritchard worked with “Our Dorette” as she was known from her very early days as a Health Visitor.

“We had so much fun, laughter and of course worked hard. We are so proud the award is being given in her honour,” they said.

Colleague Leanne Boulding said: “Dorette was so proud of her clients and everything they achieved. She often found strengths and positives in the smallest of things.

“As a team the loss is still so impactful. Dorette was the one who always made us laugh, the one who steadied our ship. She was a wonderful leader and she did so with ease and a gentle confidence.

“She was beautiful inside and out and we all miss her deeply. She brought fun, she brought reason, she brought patience and strength to the Family Nursing Team.”

Nottingham CityCare will recognise colleagues from across the organisation at the awards.

As well as the Dorette Allen Working in Partnership Award there are 10 categories, recognising how individuals and teams are making a difference to the health and wellbeing of the diverse and vibrant communities served by CityCare.

The event will recognise staff from all areas of CityCare, based on our values – Kindness, Respect, Trust and Honesty. There were more than 160 nominations in total for all 11 categories.