Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Gloucester visited Eversfield Care Home in Reigate to officially open its new nursing wing.

The Duchess was received by Olivia Curno (pictured above), chief executive of Elizabeth Finn Homes (EFH); and Tom Lawson, chairman of the board and chief executive of Turn2us, Elizabeth Finn Homes’ parent charity.

During her tour of the new extension, Her Royal Highness met Carmella Lewis, clinical care manager at Eversfield; and Anthony Barnes, EFH estate manager.

The Duchess also met with staff and residents, including former nurses now living in the home, Ann and Hilda.

Hilda (pictured below) said: “As a former nurse with 10 years of service, it was an absolute delight to meet Her Royal Highness and to be part of such a special moment in Eversfield’s history.

“The new nursing wing is a reminder that compassionate care continues to evolve and thrive and I feel privileged to witness it first hand as a resident here.”

The Duchess has been Royal Patron of Turn2us since 2003 and during this time has visited many of the Elizabeth Finn care homes.

Initially set up in 1897 as the Distressed Gentlefolk’s Aid Association, the care homes and charity continue to carry out Elizabeth Finn’s exemplary work and today the homes operate on a profit-for-purpose basis, with all profits going to support Turn2us.

Eversfield Care Home has been owned and operated by Elizabeth Finn Homes since 1996.

And the new wing meets increased local demand for high-quality nursing care, building on Eversfield’s strong reputation for residential and end-of-life care.

Each of the 16 fully ensuite bedrooms provide 24/7 nursing care and offer views over surrounding gardens.

Curno said: “As our Patron, The Duchess of Gloucester has long supported our homes and the important work that they do.

“We are delighted to welcome Her Royal Highness today to help us mark the opening of our new nursing wing, underlining our continued commitment to creating loving environments where those in later life can truly flourish, alongside a deep-rooted social purpose.”

Also in attendance at the opening were Brigadier Roger Hood, Deputy-Lieutenant of Surrey; the mayor and mayoress of Reigate and Banstead, Councillor Eddy and Sarah Humphreys; as well as the deputy mayor of Reigate and Banstead, Councillor Sue Sindon.

Staff were also joined by representatives from the delivery team, MCS Construction, DAC Architects, and Dalbergia Group.