I would like to thank nurse Laura Davison, from Street Health Outreach. 

Laura Davison treats a patient in my village, and I believe that she should be commended for all the help and support she has provided for her patient M. We operate the local newsagents in the village and deliver groceries, allowing us to observe and witness the ways in which Laura has helped and cared for M. 

Regarding his health, he struggled with his mobility and alcohol dependency; he would regularly have falls, causing him to contact 999 and was often admitted into hospital for long lies, as well as self-neglect. He was isolated in his bungalow with no help, and when discharged from hospital, he would fall into the same cycle and would attend hospital again. Since Laura has been caring for M, we have noticed several positive changes, which has overall improved his quality of life. 

When we would deliver his groceries to his bungalow, we witnessed how he was neglecting himself; he had an inability to cater to his basic needs, such as personal hygiene (not showering for days and taking care of his appearance), appropriate clothing (as he would walk around and outside of his property with no clothes, causing a disturbance to his neighbors and them contacting the police), his living conditions were unclean, and he would neglect his health by consuming more alcohol rather than food. 

Laura has worked so hard to help M and has arranged for organisations and facilities, to help him maintain this lifestyle. A cleaner that Laura organized regularly comes to visit the bungalow, helping him maintain the cleanliness and allowing him to have a hygienic living environment. Laura has also helped him maintain his personal hygiene, for example buying new clothes and an electric razor, therefore keeping his appearance smart and tidy. A dry cleaner has also been arranged, so he always has clean clothes available. She has provided walking aids to help improve his mobility around the house and reduce falls. To keep him entertained in the house, she has bought him a television. During the holidays, such as Christmas, she arranged transport and a meal for him so he could socialize and enjoy the company of others. M is also able to follow a healthier and balanced diet and does not spend as much of his money on alcohol. Laura regularly communicates with us, too, regarding M’s care, therefore keeping us involved and allowing us to help him too; this may simply be by telling us what groceries he needs. 

I have seen the improvement that she has made to his quality of life, regarding his health and hygiene, as well as improving social aspects too. He has not been admitted into hospital for months and is able to maintain a healthy lifestyle with her help; I think this is significant, as he required support in the community rather than hospital admissions and he would not be doing as well as he is now, without Laura’s help.

Overall, Laura listens to what he needs and helps in whatever way she can to achieve it, and I have noticed the huge improvement that it has made to his living.