December 2023
Elaine
Whittaker
,
RN
Urgent Care Centre
East and North Hertfordshire NHS Trust
Stevenage
,
Hertfordshire
United Kingdom

 

 

 

She initially refused to let Elaine bring the safeguarding team in to help, but after several hours of care and empathy by Elaine, the patient allowed a referral to be made. She left the department feeling empowered with options available to her.  
Elaine recently supported an individual who was the victim of very serious domestic abuse. The patient was reluctant to engage in services due to an adverse past experience with a community-based provider.  Elaine quickly recognised the risk to the patient and spent a protracted period of time emotionally supporting the individual to gain their trust. Elaine encouraged and assisted the individual whilst they accessed the highest level of specialist support in order to achieve an outcome that will best protect the victim from abuse in the future.

Throughout the process, Elaine demonstrated an exemplary level of compassion toward the victim and gained their trust. The safeguarding practice demonstrated by Elaine was textbook in nature and execution; she demonstrated the highest levels of professional curiosity and emotional intelligence while ascertaining the facts and developing a professional relationship with the victim.

In the management of the case Elaine demonstrated a high level of practice which reflected the 6 key principles of adult safeguarding. The safeguarding team members at the Trust and a representative from external services are keen for Elaine’s outstanding input to be recognised by her peers Trust wide. 

***

Elaine is an excellent Band 5 nurse who shows compassion in all aspects of her work.  This week, she looked after a patient to whom I feel Elaine provided exemplary care. This lady attended reporting a long-term history of domestic abuse and coercive, controlling behaviour by her partner. She initially refused to let Elaine bring the safeguarding team in to help, but after several hours of care and empathy by Elaine, the patient allowed a referral to be made. She left the department feeling empowered with options available to her.  I truly believe that Elaine, through her caring and professional behaviour, has changed this lady's life for the better.

***

Elaine conducted a fantastic piece of safeguarding work with a very vulnerable woman who opened up and disclosed domestic abuse to her. Elaine stayed with her, sought the right support and helped her through whilst the specialist police unit came and worked out a safety plan.  Elaine's compassion and professional curiosity in this case have made a huge difference to this woman's life, and thanks to Elaine, she is now in a safe place.