Rochford nurse honoured as family donate medical equipment

Johanna Packer, a beloved mother and grandmother, died earlier this year after a battle with cancer.

Now, her family are preparing to donate two new “vein finders” to Hockley Clinic’s palliative care team next week after raising more than £8,000 at her funeral.

Johanna initially worked as a nurse at Rochford Hospital before becoming a district nurse and her son, Andrew, said giving back to the community is “his mum’s legacy”.

The specialist vein finders are equipment used by nurses to help locate veins in patients, which can improve comfort and save time.

Nurse - Johanna Packer (Image: Andrew Packer)

Andrew, 51, said: “Mum dedicated her whole life to being a public servant. She worked until she was in her 60s and retired. She worked for 40 years, and she was someone who was always learning.

“She was so benevolent and kind and that public servitude is key to it. Of her four children, I was a police officer, my sister and brother are teachers, and my other brother is a paediatric nurse. My dad was with the police. We are all public servants. That is down to our parents, who let us recognise the value in public service and giving back to people.

“That is my mum’s legacy, and her funeral was packed. There were a lot of people there whose families she had cared for or who she had taught the ropes.

“Her impact was tangible. People would come up and say ‘you mum looked after my family’ or younger nurses would say ‘your mum was a mentor to me’.

“She leaves a massive void.”

The vein finders, which are specialist equipment used to locate the veins of those who are seriously ill, will be presented to the care team and by Johanna’s family and one of the lead palliative nurses who cared for her.

Andrew added: “Rochford palliative care team were privileged to look after mum and her family up until her death at home and are excited to receive this new equipment.”