Mental health nurse in 70s honoured after 49 years of service

By Toby Porter

A mental health care worker has retired after five decades of helping people in distress.

Nathan Pathmanathan, 71, was honoured for his prodigious 49 years of service at a celebration at Ambient Support, Fielding Lane, Bromley.

He was presented with a commemorative potted tree, gardening vouchers and a memory book with photos and messages from well-wishing staff.

Nathan left Malaysia in 1972 to pursue a career in psychiatric nursing in England.

As a young man, working here from the age of 22, he witnessed first-hand the effects of institutionalisation and how the system was negatively impacting peoples’ mental well-being.

So, he gladly took an opportunity to work as a community psychiatric nurse for Bromley Care Services, giving him the chance to care for people in the community.

A true pioneer, Nathan was at the forefront of deinstitutionalisation and worked passionately to help enable the integration of people living with mental health issues into their communities.

Based in Bromley but working across multiple Ambient services, over his 49-year career, he has helped, supported and improved the lives of thousands of people.

Nathan said: “It’s all about understanding and talking to people.

Sit down and give people your time, engage with them, believe and respect people as individuals. You must have honesty and integrity.

“I am most proud of the staff. The team are constantly developing and training to find ways to improve services to positively impact the people we support.

“If you show your staff respect and support, they will in turn show that to those they care for.

I have seen the incredible development of all of the people in positions today at Ambient and it makes me very proud.”

Sarah Hearne, Locality Manager at Ambient, who works alongside Nathan, said: “Nathan is a great mentor, leader and a peoples’ person.

“He has been a great asset to this charity over many years of service in the Health & Social Care sector and will be hugely missed by me and everyone that has had the pleasure of working alongside him over the years.”

Chief executive Mark Milton said: “Nathan’s outstanding commitment and dedication to his career in care is truly commendable.

“His passion and person-centred approach, to help people to live the fullest life they can, is at the very essence of what Ambient believe and strive for every day.

He is a true inspiration.”

Nathan will remain involved with Ambient Support, supporting their Bromley based volunteer horticulture project.