My late dad asked if we could recognize Emily, staff nurse on Gervis Pearson ward for being an outstanding nurse.
She was indeed my dad's angel. My dad was suffering from extreme pain from the complications of stage 4 rectal cancer. He said he felt safe when Emily was on shift, as he knew she was going that extra mile to try to ensure my dad was freed from his pain. Dad said that the other nurses would say that there wasn't anything else he could have for his pain whereas Emily would alleviate my dad's pain and if it still wasn't under control she would be chasing the doctors to review and inform them that the breakthrough pain relief just wasn't working.
She never sat down and could not do enough for him. My dad called me up one day to say he was worried as Emily was on a day off the next day and he just knew he would not receive the exceptional care without Emily.
Emily also made time to pull up a chair and talk to my mum and myself even though we knew she was extremely busy. She was shocked when she returned from her day off to find my dad still in awful pain.
After his transfer to Hayward House, Emily came down to visit him, but he had sadly passed away just 5 minutes earlier. He also knew that nominating her would not necessarily mean that she would be honored, but we ask you to please ensure she knows that my dad kept his promise and nominated her. If every nurse were as mindful as Emily then our patients would be in such great hands.
Thank you, Emily.