Family of nurse who worked in Fife town “honoured” over hospital name

The facility has been set up at the Scottish Events Campus (SEC) to ensure that the NHS has extra capacity to treat its patients.

It has been named after Sister Louisa Jordan, who signed up for the Scottish Women’s Hospitals for Foreign Service in December 1914, during World War I.

By the time Louisa and her fellow volunteers had arrived, Serbia had claimed its first victory of the war. The group set up in Kraguievac, and had lots of work to do.

However, in February 1915 Typhus broke out. Less than four months after arriving in Serbia, Louisa died from the disease.

Before she left for Serbia, Louisa had been living and working in Buckhaven as a Queen’s Nurse, although her great nephew, Murray Crone, whose grandmother was Louisa’s younger sister, admits he has not been able to find out much about her time in the village.

“It’s amazing,” Murray said.

“I’ve been looking into information about her life. We had talked about her when I was young. We’re honoured that she’s been selected.

“It’s a good choice to compare her experience to what NHS staff are going through now.”

Louisa is among the names on the Buckhaven memorial, although Murray said he would like a mistake corrected.

“I went to visit the war memorial,” he said.

“Unfortunately, they spelt her name wrong. It’s a shame.”

Murray said he has written to health secretary Jeane Freemont to thank her for the honour.

The choice of name was also welcomed by Murray’s local MSP, Willie Rennie.

“This new temporary hospital will provide the extra capacity our NHS needs to deal with the demands on the service caused by the virus outbreak,” said Mr Rennie.

“Sister Louisa Jordan, a nurse in World War I, is part of Scotland’s medical history.

“It is really welcome that she has been celebrated by naming the hospital after her. It brings her story to a whole new group of people who may not have come across her otherwise.

“Thanks to Murray for telling us more about his great aunt. Like those working in our NHS right now, she showed bravery while serving in Serbia and dedication to her profession.”