However, the owners were not familiar with the Queen’s Nursing Institute, so I offered a brief overview of the history of the oldest nursing charity in the world. There was even a copy of the ‘Mission of Mercy: Florence Nightingale Receiving the Wounded at Scutari’ circa 1857 in the main hallway. This led to a great conversation with Peter about his journey and interest in the restoration of Lea Hurst, which was quite breath-taking. For me it was a privilege to have visited and I felt empowered to share the fact that I was, indeed, a Queen’s Nurse and a qualified District Nurse (now working in the community as a Parkinsons Clinical Nurse Specialist, in a community setting). I understand my husband and I were the 6 th and 7 th guests to date. The sense of calm and wonder was quite apparent when we stepped into the home. These are placed to be viewed throughout the accommodation. An experienced and qualified care and nursing team deliver care through individualised care plans which are designed in consultation with the individual.
The present owner Peter Kay and his wife have invested much time in collecting and restoring items either linked to Florence or in memory of her. The current owners, Peter Kay and his wife, are now keen to restore Lea Hurst back to its former glory. Lea Hurst closed to residents and was sold on in 2004. The home was sold in 1946, and then sold again in 1951 to William Bowmer who ran it as a nursing home in memory of Florence Nightingale. It seems Lea Hurst was managed by the Royal Surgical Aid Society following the death of Florence’s only relative Louis Nightingale. Florence was instrumental in helping establish the QNI in 1887. Florence epitomised the essence of today’s message espoused by the Queen’s Nursing Institute, not least in respect of the critical role of district nurses in end-of-life care.
When I realised this was the childhood home of Florence Nightingale and where she cared for her mother in the last days of her life, I felt compelled to visit. The property had only just begun to market its accommodation three weeks previously. They have attractive en-suite facilities, a colour television and direct dial telephones. All bedrooms are of a pleasant size and afford splendid rural views. My husband and I were planning a visit to Chatsworth and were looking for a place to stay nearby. Coppice Lea is set within five acres of landscaped gardens and wooded grounds, the elegant Victorian house has been converted to provide residential, nursing and dementia care. Coppice Lea is a Care Home located in Merstham, Redhill, Surrey that provides Nursing, Dementia, Respite and Residential care. Our discovery of Lea Hurst was quite by chance.
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