Mary's roots firmly in Swansea Bay after life-changing move from Mauritius over 50 years ago

PICTURED: Mary Latchman is based at Port Talbot Resource Centre.

Shortly after arriving from Mauritius in December 1973, Mary Latchman expected her Swansea Bay stay to be short-lived – but 53 years later she’s still going strong.

Mary made the 6,000-plus miles journey alone to complete her nurse’s training and start her NHS career in Wales, but the early impressions of the winter elements looked to have ended any aspirations of laying down roots.

Yet over half a century on, Mary is now set to bring down the curtain on a long-standing career in an area she proudly calls home.

PICTURED: Mary kept photos of her different NHS uniforms throughout her career.

In that time, she has embraced huge changes in medicine, technology, health board boundary and service changes and approaches to care.

A meeting with the future king – Prince Charles – ranks highly among her favourite moments.

But there’s one factor she consistently refers to when discussing her career in care.

Mary, who works with the health board’s Memory Clinic/Drugs for Dementia team in Port Talbot Resource Centre, said: “Caring for people in my community is a privilege, and it’s something that is always the best part of my job.

“Holding a hand in someone’s final moments and supporting loved ones through grief are the special moments that shaped me. They taught me humility, gratitude and reminded me that nursing is not just a job; it is a profound human experience.

“One of my greatest memories was witnessing the implementation of the Community Care Act in 1990 and contributing in assessing the care needs of mental health patients and providing tailored support to help them live independently in the community. Patients were given access to the community and were no longer shut away in the traditional institutions.

“Shaking hands with Prince Charles, as he was then, was an incredible experience. I’d been invited to represent the Mental Health Directorate for Centennial Year of International Nursing, and he asked me where I was working, and I said Princess of Wales and straight away he said: ‘That’s in Bridgend!’

“Another highlight during that time was shadowing the trust’s CEO – Paul Williams – as part of my RCN Clinical Leadership Course. It really broadened my mind and knowledge of the NHS and helped me complete a BSc in Clinical Leadership at the University of Glamorgan in 2009.

PICTURED: Mary met Prince Charles during a special event.

“I’m so grateful for all of this, because I actually thought I was going to go home after my nurse training because it was winter and it was so cold. There were trees that didn’t have leaves on them which was something I’d never seen.

“I was only 18 and I thought I’ll complete my training and go back home to my island in the sun. But the more time I spent in Wales, the more I began to realise that – aside from the sun – there are so many similarities to Mauritius. The people are just so warm and create a lovely community, the beaches and surrounding areas are beautiful, and the job, of course, I absolutely loved.

“I even got to feel snow for the first time – I’d only seen it in movies before that.”

Starting her NHS Career in Bridgend’s Parc Hospital in 1973, Mary progressed from nurse to ward sister and worked in Glanrhyd Hospital and Princess of Wales Hospital’s Coity Clinic.

She then became a Deliberate Self-Harm Liaison Nurse working with the Crisis Team.

Mary changed from acute to elderly services and was appointed as a Ward Manager at Tonna Hospital, before retiring for the first time.

Retirement didn’t last long, however, as she took up a role in Port Talbot Resource Centre with an innovative service for Young Onset Dementia for 15 hours a week.

Staying in the resource centre, Mary’s final role comes with the Memory Clinic/Drugs for Dementia team before she retires – for the final time – later this year.

PICTURED: Mary has been recognised by the health board for her long service.

For all the care she has given throughout her 53-year career, Mary has also been on the receiving end.

During the Covid pandemic, she underwent a coronary triple bypass and spent time recovering before returning to work.

And last year, her son tragically passed away aged just 38.

The support and compassion shown by colleagues through those times have helped Mary return to work.

Mary said: “I have worked alongside extraordinary colleagues and together we have faced challenges and supported one another through the hardest days.

“When I returned to work after my bypass, my colleagues from the consultant to the manager and all the staff gave me such an amazing welcome and supported me so well during my recovery. I will never forget their compassion and love.

“After losing my son in July last year I took 10 weeks off to grieve but I returned to work knowing that my colleagues cared, they knew my pain and would be there for me.

“It makes such a difference knowing they are there for you, and it’s something I pride myself on in my job. A reassuring word and a gentle presence can change someone’s world.”

With her retirement on the horizon, Mary is looking forward to spending time with her family and grandchildren, and contributing more to her local church.

PICTURED: Mary is closing in on her retirement after a spectacular length of service.

Mary added: “After 53 years I look back with pride. I gave my life to a profession that gave me a purpose. Nursing shaped who I am, and I hope that my work made a difference and I leave behind a legacy of care, dignity and humanity.

“I feel honoured to have worked in the Ogwr District, Mid Glamorgan Health Authority, Bridgend and District NHS Trust, Bro Morgannwg NHS Trust, Abertawe Bro Morgannwg University Health Board and finally, Swansea Bay!

“Thank you Swansea Bay University Health Board for the wonderful, fulfilling and rewarding years you have given me, along with the opportunities you provided for my personal growth and the lessons you taught me in humanity, into care, compassion and resilience.”