UK Nurse Selina’s Sudden Death on Her Birthday Sparks Outpouring of Reactions

Fellow Nurses Africa || News report || June 9, 2025

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Ghanaian-Born NHS Nurse Selina Adda-Dixon Dies Suddenly on 51st Birthday: Tributes Pour In

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LINCOLNSHIRE, UK – June 9, 2025 — The healthcare community in the UK and Ghana is mourning the sudden loss of Selina Adda-Dixon, a compassionate and dedicated Ghanaian-born senior NHS nurse, who passed away unexpectedly on her 51st birthday, Tuesday, May 27.

Selina, a proud mother of two, had spent over two decades in the UK nursing sector, where she tirelessly worked to care for others and elevate fellow healthcare workers. She was a senior nurse with the Lincolnshire Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, a role she achieved through perseverance and passion after migrating from Ghana to the UK in 2003.

A Lifelong Calling to Care

Selina’s daughter, Chelsea Tumfour (20), described her mother as “deeply caring” and someone who “always put others first.” Her son, Brian (24), echoed the sentiment, calling her “a loving and nurturing mother figure not only at home but also at work.”

Selina’s journey in the UK began with college courses in healthcare, driven by her dream of becoming a nurse. She worked in care homes, engaged in palliative care, and eventually graduated from the University of Lincoln, returning later to pursue a top-up degree in nursing.

Frontline Hero During COVID-19

During the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, Selina served as a nurse associate on the Brant Ward at Witham Court, which provides mental health support to older adults. Despite the stress of her own brother battling Covid in another part of the UK, she continued to support patients with unwavering dedication.

Selina described her team as a second family, often going beyond duty to ensure her patients received quality care.

Community Leadership and Advocacy

Before settling in Lincolnshire, Selina lived in Nottingham, where she co-founded a children’s support group for refugees and asylum seekers alongside her close friend Helen Coppins, who is also godmother to her children. The initiative reached hundreds of children and highlighted Selina’s dedication to social causes beyond nursing.

“She was kind, resilient, a real fighter and a grafter,” said Helen. “She just thought of other people, always.”

In addition to her professional roles, Selina volunteered extensively in local schools and community programs — inspiring many across cultural and national lines.

Honouring Her Final Wishes: A Funeral in Ghana

Following her sudden passing, Selina’s children have launched a GoFundMe campaign to fulfil her final wish — to be buried in Ghana, beside her late parents. The fundraiser will also support funeral expenses and a UK-based memorial in her honour.

“In life, we watched her turn a house into a home, and saw her dreams become a reality. So in her death, we want to honour her name by supporting her last wishes,” Brian and Chelsea shared.

The fundraiser, started on June 4, quickly surpassed its £6,000 target, with friends, colleagues, and former patients showing an “overwhelming” level of support.

Legacy Beyond Borders

Selina Adda-Dixon’s life is a testament to the strength, compassion, and contributions of African nurses working abroad. Her legacy as a mother, mentor, nurse, and community builder lives on not only in her children, but in the many lives she touched across the UK and Ghana.

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Fellow Nurses Africa joins the global nursing community in mourning the loss of Selina Adda-Dixon — a true example of African resilience and compassion in global healthcare.

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Fellow Nurses Africa is the independent voice of African nursing. We educate, inform, and support the nursing profession.