Debbie Curtis
August 2024
Debbie
Curtis
,
RN
Allebone Ward
Northampton General Hospital NHS Trust
Northampton
United Kingdom
She actively encourages us all to care in a way no textbook could teach.
Sister Deb always promotes the Trust's values; however, and much more than this, she lives them. As through her core, like a stick of rock, her values run through, for all to see. She actively encourages us all to care in a way no textbook could teach. It’s through her lived experiences, through loss, pain, joy, happiness, and love.
This is most definitely not only patient care, but the care of all. The families, the colleagues, and anyone who steps not only onto Allebone but anywhere on site. This then spreads further, at home, and it has the most powerful knock-on effect. For me personally, for many decades suffering with bouts of depression, due to childhood trauma, she has made the last 6 years feel safe, inclusive, and an amazing environment to thrive, support, and be supportive and supported.
I feel she has demonstrated that core values, either the Trust, personal, or those of others, are to be lived, understood, and shouted out loud. She has given me my life back on numerous occasions these last 6 years. Through support, such as counselling, a hug, a gift, a soft touch, and a kick up the bum. I see the trauma she herself has experienced, and, with her humanity and humility, and blood, sweat and tears. And yes, tears from a leader are like magic dust at times.
And lastly, two experiences out of many I’ve shared with her, or witnessed. I came into the Trust at the later stages of my journey, aged 47, and within weeks, I was able to assist with the last offices with Sister, and this has stayed with me. The conversation with our patient as we washed and prepared him for his forever journey was unique, and something I took with me each time.
Then there was a patient who was scared, with awful skin, malnutrition on arrival at NGH. Of course, with support from all areas of the Trust, the dietitian, and TVN nurses, he improved. However, he took this on, in no small part, due to the patient-centred care from the Sister.
To the point, and from a patient who rarely spoke, who flinched at everything, suddenly, and with a beautiful voice, sang, or serenaded Sister Deb to a faultless Quando Quando Quando by Engleburt Humpadink. Witnessed by herself, me, and another nurse.
It was a moment, a moment that will stay forever, and one of the thousands that Sister Deb has allowed us all to have through her unique experience and values.
This is most definitely not only patient care, but the care of all. The families, the colleagues, and anyone who steps not only onto Allebone but anywhere on site. This then spreads further, at home, and it has the most powerful knock-on effect. For me personally, for many decades suffering with bouts of depression, due to childhood trauma, she has made the last 6 years feel safe, inclusive, and an amazing environment to thrive, support, and be supportive and supported.
I feel she has demonstrated that core values, either the Trust, personal, or those of others, are to be lived, understood, and shouted out loud. She has given me my life back on numerous occasions these last 6 years. Through support, such as counselling, a hug, a gift, a soft touch, and a kick up the bum. I see the trauma she herself has experienced, and, with her humanity and humility, and blood, sweat and tears. And yes, tears from a leader are like magic dust at times.
And lastly, two experiences out of many I’ve shared with her, or witnessed. I came into the Trust at the later stages of my journey, aged 47, and within weeks, I was able to assist with the last offices with Sister, and this has stayed with me. The conversation with our patient as we washed and prepared him for his forever journey was unique, and something I took with me each time.
Then there was a patient who was scared, with awful skin, malnutrition on arrival at NGH. Of course, with support from all areas of the Trust, the dietitian, and TVN nurses, he improved. However, he took this on, in no small part, due to the patient-centred care from the Sister.
To the point, and from a patient who rarely spoke, who flinched at everything, suddenly, and with a beautiful voice, sang, or serenaded Sister Deb to a faultless Quando Quando Quando by Engleburt Humpadink. Witnessed by herself, me, and another nurse.
It was a moment, a moment that will stay forever, and one of the thousands that Sister Deb has allowed us all to have through her unique experience and values.