Nurse Jo Habab given Warrington Hospital centre naming honour

Joselito Habab, known as Jo to his friends and colleagues, contracted and sadly succumbed to Covid-19 while working on the frontline at the Lovely Lane site during the first wave of the pandemic in May 2020.

Hundreds of Warrington Hospital workers said a final goodbye to the 46-year-old, who had dedicated 18 years of his working life to the hospital, as his hearse passed by on the way to his funeral.

And his dedication to the NHS has been recognised by Warrington and Halton Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, which has named a new clinical education training facility at Warrington Hospital after him.

The centre on the hospital’s Kendrick Wing was opened earlier this month by Jo’s wife Michelle and son Dylan, alongside mayor of Warrington Cllr Maureen Creaghan and Warrington Hospital chair Steve McGuirk.

Kimberley Salmon-Jamieson, Chief Nurse and Deputy Chief Executive of the hospital trust, paid tribute to Jo and hopes the centre can live up to his memory.

Warrington Hospital nurse Joselito Habab sadly died after contracting Covid-19

She said: “Naming this education centre after Jo feels like a fitting tribute to him, and we are delighted that it will be part of his legacy here at Warrington and Halton hospitals.

“Jo was a much valued and loved nurse who accomplished so very much in his profession here as a nurse, clinical educator, colleague and friend.

“He has had a lasting positive impact across the trust through his commitment to supporting the development and training of colleagues for the benefit of our patients.

“I am pleased that this new education and training facility named in his memory will be a place of learning and great support to so many staff and students for years to come.”

The centre, which is light and spacious with four training rooms, includes a new clinical skills drop-in lab for all staff and students to use.

It will also improve access to clinical training for staff by enhancing the trust’s overall training offer.

Warrington Hospital workers pay their respects to Jo Habab following his death

The excellent facilities at the centre have been equipped with new manikins to support the latest methods of training delivery, and they will provide increased opportunities for clinical simulation exercises and technology-enhanced learning to improve the safety and effectiveness of clinical care.

The development of the Habab Education Centre was made possible thanks to generous funding from Warrington and Halton Hospitals’ Charity and from NHS Charities Together.

Having trained as a nurse in his native Philippines, Jo was well-known and highly respected across many departments in Warrington Hospital.

He achieved his NMC registration in 2003 and was a staff nurse in trauma and orthopaedics until 2011.

Jo then became a clinical nurse educator in 2011, during which time he was awarded employee of the month.

He was promoted to orthopaedic trauma nurse co-ordinator, but before becoming ill, Jo was back in a key clinical education and training role, keeping others safe by leading PPE training and FIT testing for face masks.