A bench has been placed at Glangwili Hospital in memory of Dr Esther Harrison, a consultant anaesthetist at the hospital from the 1960s to the 1990s who left a £1.3 million legacy to her local NHS.

Dr Harrison was born in Cardiff in 1930 and was one of two children, having a younger sister Sylvie. Both studied medicine in Cardiff, and Dr Harrison became an anaesthetist.

Dr Harrison remained in Cardiff until the 1960s before working for a short period in England and then relocating in 1967 to Carmarthen where she had secured a position as an anaesthetist at Glangwili Hospital. She soon became Glangwili’s consultant anaesthetist, a position she held until her retirement in the 1990s.

Outside of work, Dr Harrison was a very kind ‘Auntie Nook’ to her nieces and nephews. Dr Harrison also loved her cats, particularly her Siamese cat Jasper. Her keen interests were the National Trust and the architecture of local castles.

Dr Harrison’s legacy will be used to provide items and activities which are above and beyond core NHS expenditure. This will include the creation and improvement of staff rest areas to promote wellbeing; arts and health activities for patients; and simulation equipment to enhance staff training.

Dr Harrison’s nephew Ben Perkins said: “We are delighted that the bench has been installed at Glangwili in memory of Aunty Nook.

“Aunty Nook lived a long, happy life, living exactly the way she wanted to. Thanks to her legacy, her contribution to the health and wellbeing of our local communities will continue.”

Professor Phil Kloer, Chief Executive at Hywel Dda University Health Board, said: “On behalf of the health board, I’d like to say how deeply grateful we are to Dr Harrison for her extremely generous gift. This legacy will benefit thousands of patients, service users and staff.

“It’s fitting that someone who devoted their life to providing excellent care will continue to have such a positive impact on people’s experience of the NHS.”

Tara Nickerson, Fundraising Manager at Hywel Dda Health Charities, the official charity of Hywel Dda University Health Board, said: “Whether they are large or small, gifts in wills have a lasting, positive impact and touch the lives of many.

“We are so thankful to Dr Harrison for her gift which will enable us to improve the experiences of so many patients and staff.”

For more information on leaving a gift to your local NHS charity, please visit: https://hywelddahealthcharities.nhs.wales/support-us/leave-a-forever-thank-you-to-your-nhs-charity/