Was Justice Done!

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Newspaper article.

Sentinel, Sept, 2000.

Tribute to fire death victim

BY Nick Coligan

A WOMAN who died after a house fire earlier this month has been described as “unique” by a work colleague. Rashida Hussain, aged 41, suffered 50 per cent burns during the blaze at a house on The Villas, Boothen, on Wednesday, September 13. 

She was taken to North Staffordshire Hospital but died shortly after arrival. 

Mrs Hussain, who had two sons aged four and five, worked for North Staffordshire Combined Healthcare’s mental health services as a senior nurse 

Janice Gerrard, manager of the Charles Street Parent and Baby Unit where Mrs Hussain was based, described her as “a wonderful colleague” and “very much a team player”. 

She said: “I knew her for about five-and-a-half years, from when she took up her post as an ethnic project worker for the Single Regeneration Budget. Much of her work was in the community but she was based at the unit and we built up a good working relationship. 

“We miss her so much. She created such an impression on people because of her passion and commitment to building a service for Asian women. Before she came along there was nowhere for Asian women and children to turn. 

“She could be outgoing but she was also sensitive and thoughtful and considerate. She had a balance of everything.”

Janice believes that Mrs Hussain was on the verge of becoming a nationally renowned figure in her specialist subject, postnatal depression.

However it was her work locally with the Asian community for which she will be most remembered.

She said: “She was experienced in research, she had spoken at conferences and she had articles published. She was on the brink of reaching the peak of her career.

“She was experienced in translating, which filled a big gap, and she had been to India with a colleague to determine what services were available there for women.

“From our perspective, her role as an educator was a real talent and we learned a lot about cultural differences. She was not only about creating a service for Asian women, she was also about providing a role model.”

David Pearson, general manager for Health and Learning Disabilities Services, said: “Rashida Hussain was a remarkable member of Combined Healthcare mental health services.

“It is impossible to quantify all Rashida’s achievements but her pioneering work with women from the black and ethnic communities across North Staffordshire will stand as a lasting tribute.”

A spokesman for Staffordshire Police said that investigations into Mrs Hussain’s death were continuing. 

Officers have still not had the opportunity to question a man who was also treated for burns at the scene because he is still receiving hospital treatment. Anyone with any information about the incident should contact Staffordshire Police on 01785 234995 or call the confidential Crime-stoppers line on 0800 555111. 

Photo caption reads: 

Rashida Hussain, who died after a house fire was on the verge on being regarded as an international expert on postnatal depression

Note accompanying Newspaper Article 

Reads:

Rashida Hussain

Death by Fire

13.9.2000

Was Justice Done!