Laura Elwood
February 2022
Laura
Elwood
,
RN
Hackney Diabetes Centre
Homerton University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
London
United Kingdom
I come away from appointments with Laura feeling consoled, constructive, and positive. Her dedication and commitment to her patients are extraordinary.
Laura helped me out enormously last year when I was mentally going through a tough time personally and coping with my diabetes. She was so calm and caring and just mentioned there was a diabetes psychologist who is helpful to talk to. No more no less and she put me in touch with her. She just picked up on the fact that I needed help and she knew what help I needed. What she did helped me and also my family. I was not well mentally and physically. Physically last year I had to have various tests like MRIs, scans, etc, and any worries I had with having these tests whilst using an insulin pump she alleviated in her calm and professional manner. After the tests, I was diagnosed with an ovarian cyst and had to have a full hysterectomy and she again was there for me before, during, and after the operation. She has helped me so much with my diabetes control since I’ve been on the insulin pump and we had regular catch-ups sometimes once or twice a week for several weeks so adjustments could be made to my settings. My diabetes is so much better controlled and that is due to Laura. She puts her heart and soul into caring for me and I cannot thank her enough. I believe because of this she exemplifies what The Homerton stands for. She truly is a DAISY Nurse.
***
I moved to Hackney around eleven years ago. My diabetes care had been patchy at best previously but Laura has made a huge difference in my life. After acquiring my insulin pump, she gave me her personal number in case of any problems. When my manual blood meter broke, she had a replacement waiting within the hour. She has also involved me in the education program giving me the confidence and strength to talk about my condition. Over 36 years of diabetes I have never met anyone like her with the knowledge, compassion, and empathy to support people through this miserable condition.
***
Amazing service. Always compassionate, always available Exceptional effort.
***
Because she always goes above and beyond her duty. Has the time for everyone. And seems to have endless energy to help all she can.
***
Laura is the kindest human I've ever known. Will always help you with any issue and gives up all her time for work. As a type 1 for 44 years, she has offered so much help and assistance in my management of a harmful illness. This lady is one of life's true Angels
***
I've been Laura's patient at Homerton Diabetes Centre for over ten years. I used to dread diabetes appointments as I felt anxiety and embarrassment about my sometimes-poor management of the condition. But when I started seeing Laura that completely changed. She is always so kind, patient, sympathetic, and knowledgeable, and makes you feel really listened to. I come away from appointments with Laura feeling consoled, constructive, and positive. Her dedication and commitment to her patients are extraordinary. My diabetes control has now improved dramatically thanks to her (and her amazing colleagues') genuinely life-changing care. I'm really sad to hear she's leaving the clinic, but so happy to have been her patient. She deserves a rest. She's an absolute credit to the NHS and a wonderful person.
***
Laura has been my diabetic nurse for many many years, she has always made herself available, often foregoing her lunch to sit and chat with a patient in need. She has helped me through so many difficulties they are hard to list, but that help has included supporting my family too. She has chosen to extend her knowledge of the specialty by always keeping on top of the subject and often being willing ‘to think outside the box’ or go that one step further in research terms to help find a solution. She has led the diabetes team at the Homerton to be one that is renowned for its approach to diabetic care in an informed and caring way. She will be sorely missed by patients and staff alike when she leaves the unit.
***
Laura is leaving her position and she will be missed by so many people. In her professional role as head nurse, she has been able to give advice and direction in a compassionate manner. She has been so helpful. She most certainly needs to be recognised as a professional, caring, helpful, and much-valued member of the team. We thank you.
***
She changed my life and health for the better, when I felt hopeless with my type 1 diabetes and my health was starting to suffer, she turned it around for me. She is a very special person, she goes above and beyond her normal job to help other diabetics at the centre.
***
In the short time I have known Laura she has gone above and beyond her duties as a nurse to help me understand and live with type 1 diabetes. Having been diagnosed at 39yrs old I was struggling to learn and adapt to my new diet and medication. I was suffering from low moods and we had just gone into our first lockdown. Laura has kept in regular contact, offering advice, pep-talking, and has even dropped off samples of products to my home address. She is kind and understanding, taking the time to enquire how I am not just medically but emotionally too. Laura truly deserves recognition for all she has given to me and many other diabetic people I am now in contact with thanks to the wonderful outreach she and her team have done.
***
Laura, over the years, has been a source of immense support, clinical knowledge, skill, and empathy, helping me to navigate the tumultuous path of my Type 1 diabetes. She has helped me adapt to the psychological challenges posed by my condition and she has advocated for the devices I use to manage my diabetes which has vastly improved my quality of life
***
Laura has such a positive attitude towards Diabetes management and really instills confidence in patients. Letting us know the latest tech and insulins, etc. available. She has enabled me to gain a better insight into my blood sugar management and has worked with me for four years encouraging me to feel confident using a pump and the libre. Whenever I have a question about my control or a technical difficulty she has been able to use her expertise to help me or has pointed me in the direction of someone who can help me. She is always professional and has welcomed my family members to be part of my pumping journey. Making my long journey with diabetes a much more enjoyable time with a family who understands my condition better. Laura has been such an important part of the Diabetes journey for so many of us she really deserves this award.
***
I moved to Hackney around eleven years ago. My diabetes care had been patchy at best previously but Laura has made a huge difference in my life. After acquiring my insulin pump, she gave me her personal number in case of any problems. When my manual blood meter broke, she had a replacement waiting within the hour. She has also involved me in the education program giving me the confidence and strength to talk about my condition. Over 36 years of diabetes I have never met anyone like her with the knowledge, compassion, and empathy to support people through this miserable condition.
***
Amazing service. Always compassionate, always available Exceptional effort.
***
Because she always goes above and beyond her duty. Has the time for everyone. And seems to have endless energy to help all she can.
***
Laura is the kindest human I've ever known. Will always help you with any issue and gives up all her time for work. As a type 1 for 44 years, she has offered so much help and assistance in my management of a harmful illness. This lady is one of life's true Angels
***
I've been Laura's patient at Homerton Diabetes Centre for over ten years. I used to dread diabetes appointments as I felt anxiety and embarrassment about my sometimes-poor management of the condition. But when I started seeing Laura that completely changed. She is always so kind, patient, sympathetic, and knowledgeable, and makes you feel really listened to. I come away from appointments with Laura feeling consoled, constructive, and positive. Her dedication and commitment to her patients are extraordinary. My diabetes control has now improved dramatically thanks to her (and her amazing colleagues') genuinely life-changing care. I'm really sad to hear she's leaving the clinic, but so happy to have been her patient. She deserves a rest. She's an absolute credit to the NHS and a wonderful person.
***
Laura has been my diabetic nurse for many many years, she has always made herself available, often foregoing her lunch to sit and chat with a patient in need. She has helped me through so many difficulties they are hard to list, but that help has included supporting my family too. She has chosen to extend her knowledge of the specialty by always keeping on top of the subject and often being willing ‘to think outside the box’ or go that one step further in research terms to help find a solution. She has led the diabetes team at the Homerton to be one that is renowned for its approach to diabetic care in an informed and caring way. She will be sorely missed by patients and staff alike when she leaves the unit.
***
Laura is leaving her position and she will be missed by so many people. In her professional role as head nurse, she has been able to give advice and direction in a compassionate manner. She has been so helpful. She most certainly needs to be recognised as a professional, caring, helpful, and much-valued member of the team. We thank you.
***
She changed my life and health for the better, when I felt hopeless with my type 1 diabetes and my health was starting to suffer, she turned it around for me. She is a very special person, she goes above and beyond her normal job to help other diabetics at the centre.
***
In the short time I have known Laura she has gone above and beyond her duties as a nurse to help me understand and live with type 1 diabetes. Having been diagnosed at 39yrs old I was struggling to learn and adapt to my new diet and medication. I was suffering from low moods and we had just gone into our first lockdown. Laura has kept in regular contact, offering advice, pep-talking, and has even dropped off samples of products to my home address. She is kind and understanding, taking the time to enquire how I am not just medically but emotionally too. Laura truly deserves recognition for all she has given to me and many other diabetic people I am now in contact with thanks to the wonderful outreach she and her team have done.
***
Laura, over the years, has been a source of immense support, clinical knowledge, skill, and empathy, helping me to navigate the tumultuous path of my Type 1 diabetes. She has helped me adapt to the psychological challenges posed by my condition and she has advocated for the devices I use to manage my diabetes which has vastly improved my quality of life
***
Laura has such a positive attitude towards Diabetes management and really instills confidence in patients. Letting us know the latest tech and insulins, etc. available. She has enabled me to gain a better insight into my blood sugar management and has worked with me for four years encouraging me to feel confident using a pump and the libre. Whenever I have a question about my control or a technical difficulty she has been able to use her expertise to help me or has pointed me in the direction of someone who can help me. She is always professional and has welcomed my family members to be part of my pumping journey. Making my long journey with diabetes a much more enjoyable time with a family who understands my condition better. Laura has been such an important part of the Diabetes journey for so many of us she really deserves this award.