Sylvia's dream of opening a Nursing College alongside her hospital for the poor and her school for profoundly deaf children in Thiruvannamalai in Southern India has come true.

The Florence Nightingale School of Nursing was officially opened in 2011 in the presence of representatives of the local community and trustees Tony Allinson, Anne-Marie Rose, Tony Hartigan along with Bernadette Barnes (SWAG) and Tom Cullinan (a supporter from Oldham) who were on a ten day visit from the UK. The third intake of twenty student nurses have now begun their four year course. A further twenty students will join them in 2012 when the complement of eighty will be reached.

Caption for 0822: Opening ceremony with (L to R) : Tony Allinson (Chairman SWT), Dr. M. Rajendran
(District Collector Thiruvannamalai), Sylvia Wright OBE, Mrs V. Senthamizh Selvi (Senior Tutor), Mr N. Vijayan
(Manager RMR Hospital)

The student nurses follow the curriculum of the Indian Nursing Council leading to the diploma. This is similar to the UK diploma but also emphasises practical patient care in Sylvia’s hospital, other local clinics and in the poor village communities of Tamil Nadu.When fully completed, the college will have ten teaching staff supported by specialist visiting lecturers.

Student nurses taking their oaths

The students pay a modest annual fee which covers their tuition and accommodation. This is still a major sacrifice for their families whose income is very low. Some bursaries have been made available.The college buildings have been funded by the Sylvia Wright Trust at a total cost of £190,000. 

Tony Allinson, Chairman of the Sylvia Wright Trust, said:

“The college is tremendous value for money. In 2012, it will be self-financing and will produce a regular supply of nurses who will have both formal qualifications and Sylvia’s magic ingredient of real, committed, patient care. This will be a wonderful legacy for the future, a jewel in the crown”.