A garden has been opened in remembrance of University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust’s former Chief Nurse.

Philip Norman passed away in 2017 and a QEHB Charity fund was set up in his name, with the aim of purchasing trees and planting them in a memorial garden in tribute to him.

The money raised by the fund has been used to open up the garden on the Queen Elizabeth Hospital site, where some of Philip’s favourite trees have been planted.

The garden was opened in a small ceremony, where UHB Chief Executive Dame Julie Moore, Philip’s partner Jason, Philip’s mum Fran, sisters Debbie and Julie, and a group of his former colleagues were invited to leave messages of tribute to Philip and other lost loved ones. A plaque bearing Philip’s name was also unveiled.

Dame Julie said: “Philip was not just an incredible nurse but an incredible person who touched the hearts of all he met.

“I am so honoured to open The Philip Norman Memorial Garden to mark his enormous contribution and to give us all a space to remember and reflect on those colleagues that left us too soon.”

Staff will be able to visit the garden and pay tribute whenever they lose a colleague. The garden will also be opened up to the public twice a year for them to visit and leave messages in memory of lost loved ones.

If you would like to donate to the Philip Norman Memorial Fund, you can do so at the link below. All donations are hugely appreciated.