Jamaica-born retired nurse among QNIS members celebrated by Queen Camilla

Eighty-four-year-old Barbara Dyer-Panton, a Jamaica-born retired nurse, was among just four guests chosen to sit with Queen Camilla during a royal reception at the Palace of Holyroodhouse in Edinburgh in the United Kingdom recently.

The event, held in celebration of the Queen’s Nursing Institute Scotland (QNIS), recognised current and former nurses for their service.

Queen Camilla, patron of QNIS since 2024, told attendees upon receiving an honorary QNIS badge, “I really want to say a huge thank you to all of you, all the Queen’s Nurses, past and present, for all you do for this country. I’ll wear this badge with pride, but I feel I really don’t deserve it, so thank you very much indeed.”

Panton, who travelled from the United States to attend with her granddaughter, Rachel Jones, described the event as “just wonderful”.

“They say I take everything in stride. It was lovely. She was lovely,” she said of the Queen.

Panton trained at the Derbyshire Royal Infirmary in England in 1960 for three years, and then pursued midwifery at Hammersmith Hospital in London, and later answered an ad that led her to Edinburgh, Scotland. At the time she was one of only two Caribbean students at the nursing institute. The other student was from Barbados.

“I saw the QNIS advertisement for nurses who had completed their registered nursing and midwifery and who were interested in doing public health… So I went to the institute in Edinburgh,” she explained.

TRIPLE-DUTY NURSE

She became one of Scotland’s “triple duty” nurses, serving as a public health nurse, midwife, and caregiver for the elderly.

“They wanted to train you, send you out to a district, an area where you were in charge and you had to do… pre-natal clinics for moms, and then we had to go teach moms at home how to take care of their babies. And then we also had the elderly to take care of. So it was across the board.”

Dyer-Panton was then sent to Peeblesshire.

“I loved it. I stayed there two years. It was beautiful… and all together, I had a wonderful experience being a part of a caring community in Scotland and learning about the culture.”

Her first home visit left a lasting impression.

“A mother came to the door with a baby in her arms. She had a welcoming voice with a strong Scottish accent which I soon learnt to understand and love! ”

For her successes and clear guidance throughout her journey, Dyer-Panton gives credit to her faith.

“It’s like God just prepared the way… He said, ‘You’re going to Scotland’.”

Speaking of this time in her life, one of the most rewarding parts, especially during her time in Scotland, she said, “I found lots of caring and kindness.”

Dyer-Panton also noted, “Nursing encompasses all humankind. Not just the sick, but even people who are well and just need a kind voice, and a caring hand. That’s what nursing is all about.”

Dyer-Panton’s name is now engraved on the QNIS Celebration Wall in Edinburgh.

“My great grands can go there, and they’ll see a name that says Barbara Dyer-Panton on there… ‘Oh, that’s my great grandma’.”

“It is an honour to be recognised in my 84th year,” she said, acknowledging the support of her late husband, Dr Keith Panton, her children the late Andrea Dyer; Dr Marc Panton; Dr David Panton; Dr Beth-Sarah Panton Wright; Melanie Panton; Narine Dawkins; their spouses, her grandchildren and wider family.

“Bless their hearts, they’re so supportive and kind and caring.”

REFLECTION

Her granddaughter, Jones, reflected on the experience with pride.

“She has a special way of connecting to people. I call that her superpower.”

Jones recalled seeing Panton’s name inscribed on the QNIS celebration wall. Witnessing her grandmother’s legacy recognised stirred deep inspiration.

“Just to think of her legacy… even back then where things were not the same as they were today, she’s still going out, she’s still taking care of people… her inner light, her love, her natural kindness is still being used for the greater good.

“She’s always the voice of reason, the person you can go to for advice… . It was nice to see her get some shine and for her to get her flowers because she does that for everybody else.”

The moment inspired Jones personally and professionally, and she added that she too uses her talent and profession to do likewise.

“I was in a room full of nurses and people who I think have done probably the best thing they could be doing with their lives in caring for others… . I want to continue to do that as well.”

She also spoke of the lifelong love between her grandparents.

“They have had a love story that has defined this family… their legacy of love, of support, and just showing us what true love looks like… that’s what honestly inspires me.”

Continuing, with blatant fondness for her ‘Mother,’ as she endearingly refers to her, she said, “I’m just proud that I could be there… to see her be honoured. It couldn’t have happened to a more deserving person.”

mickalia.kington@gleanerjm.com