I am writing to share my appreciation and gratitude for one of your nurses whom I believe you should be incredibly proud of. My husband has been treated on Hogarth ward recently and an outstanding nurse called Gillian Priday looked after him on several shifts. I wanted to draw your attention to the level of care and genuine compassion she showed to both myself and my husband, and how she went above and beyond for us both. She also made it seem effortless; when I would thank her, she would tell me every time I did not need to thank her as she is just doing her job. I have no doubt she will go a long way with a heart like that.

I was a Lead Nurse for over twenty years and I know firsthand how she is doing far more than just her job. I also know how special nurses are like Gillian. I really wanted you to be aware of how much of a shining star you have working there with you on that ward. Gillian is outstanding on many levels and if I was still nursing I would want her to work for me.

A few examples of how outstanding she has been are that on a shift she would ring me three or four times to keep me updated with any changes. She organised phone calls with the doctors, community Macmillan and always took the time to ask how I was and if there was anything she could do to help me, she took the time to help me work through some questions I had around discharge, nothing was too much for her. Gillian FaceTimed me every shift so I could see my husband and talk to him as he was unable to get out of bed and I was unable to visit him. Gillian came in early on a Friday and a Saturday night as she said she was doing extra shifts on another ward so she went in early so I could FaceTime my husband, she got the nurses who looked after him on those days to give me an update as I had not been able to get through to the ward.

My husband loved Gillian and said how she would hold his hand and talk to him about anything and everything and take his mind off his fear and anxiety. Gillian would sit and read his book to him as reading was one of his favourite things to do but he was not able to do this anymore. I just wanted to share my gratitude and make sure Gillian was recognised for the outstanding care she delivers every day with such humility. We need more Gillians in the world, she is a real beacon of hope and I wish her all the very best.

Note: This is Gillian's 2nd DAISY Award!