I was admitted to the short stay unit with an infection in my heart, which required 6 weeks of IV antibiotics. This subsequently meant that I was separated from my 1-year-old daughter, which would have been heartbreakingly difficult at any time of the year, but it was made even moreso being over the Christmas period. The entire team of Nurses, care assistants and doctors were brilliant throughout my stay, considering the extra pressures they were facing with COVID-19 on top of their usual winter pressures. There were two Nurses who went above-and-beyond, and I would like to nominate them both for a DAISY Award.
Beth Jackson and Glen Simpson of the Short Stay Unit at Kings Mill Hospital went above-and-beyond their call of duty to make every attempt for me to spend Christmas with my daughter. They proactively sought out and considered alternative routes for me to have my antibiotics, although sadly, none were appropriate for my treatment course at that time. The pair created a plan with the medical team involvement that allowed me home to see my daughter between my doses of antibiotics throughout the day on Christmas Day. Despite them being away from their families, and being busy and pressured on the shift, both Nurses set alarms on their phones to ensure that each dose of antibiotic was given promptly and on time to maximise my time with my daughter.
I will forever be indebted to both Beth and Glen for the time, kindness, empathy and understanding they extended to my situation. They cared for me holistically, not only as a patient, but as a mum of a baby too. They both made an unbearable time more manageable and enabled me to make invaluable memories with my daughter.