Two amazing nurses and a midwife receive awards for their outstanding, compassionate and sensitive care

Two amazing nurses and a midwife from KGH have received DAISY Awards for their outstanding, compassionate and sensitive care.

In October last year KGH started to take part in the DAISY Award – an international recognition programme that honours and celebrates the exceptional care that many nurses

and midwives provide every day.

As a result patients, family members and carers have nominated 121 staff members for the award after receiving great care.

The first three staff to receive the award are intensive care unit nurse Fiona Prior, community midwife Linda Concannon, and breast service representative Michelle.

They were all presented yesterday (Wednesday) with a DAISY award certificate, award pin badge and “Healer’s Touch” sculpture by deputy director of nursing and quality Di

Postle and director of nursing and quality Leanne Hackshall.

Staff nurse Fiona Prior, who previously worked in theatres, has been working in the intensive care unit since March 2020.

Her nomination followed the care and support she gave to a family during a family member’s last 12 hours of life.

Her nominee wrote: “Through what was the most difficult time we went through as a family, Fiona showed compassion beyond measure.

"Dad was in a very bad way and Fiona cared for him like it was her own family member.

"She had cared for her own family not long before so this must have been such a difficult time for her to experience but she was absolutely amazing.

"She made sure we were comfortable during the night that we spent with dad and reassured us throughout that he was not suffering.

"Fiona was compassionate beyond expectations and made that horrendous night so much easier for all of us.

"We will always remember that night and the part she played.

"A truly unsung hero who had only recently had to learn the ICU skills after Covid redeployment. Our angel.”

One mum described the care provided by community midwife Linda Concannon during her three pregnancies between 2017 and 2019.

The first was uncomplicated, the second ended in miscarriage, and the third in a baby being born with a heart defect needing surgery.

Her nominee wrote (about the miscarriage): “Linda was there throughout it all.

"Texting me out of working hours to see how I was, being professional, yet like a friend with an ear to bend.

"Now when 2019 came along I fell pregnant again and requested for Linda to be my midwife, I was so overjoyed and she took extra special care of me as I was so anxious due

to the last miscarriage.

"My 20-week scan came and we got the devastating news that our baby boy had a serious heart defect and our worlds just came crashing down.

"The support that I had off Linda through the most awful time has been amazing.

"She was my angel during all of my pregnancies.

"As soon as my son came out of hospital after his first open heart surgery Linda was one of our first visitors.

"For the rest of my life I will never ever forget her kindness.”

Breast service representative Michelle’s nomination described how she looked after a lady who was extremely anxious about having a mammogram appointment.

Her nominee wrote: “Michelle looked after me, reassuring me and holding my hand so I could go through the examination.

"Even though she was busy, she kept returning to see if I was alright.

"I really appreciated that she went above and beyond her job and made me feel safe and that she really cared for me.

"At the end of the appointment, I found Michelle waiting for me as I stepped out of the changing room.

"She took more time out to hold my hand, walk me out of the unit, all the while telling me how proud she was of me for going through it all and that I should be proud of myself.

"I am thanking her publicly because she did so much more than her job description and I will never be able to thank her enough for her professional and yet sensitive support throughout an extremely emotional experience.”

KGH's deputy director of nursing and quality, Diane Postle, who is overseeing the new initiative, said: “I am delighted to be able to announce the first three winners of the DAISY Award scheme.

“Reading the nominations brings it home to us just how much effort, compassion, sensitivity and dedication our nurses and midwives bring to their jobs.

“Fiona, Linda and Michelle are truly inspiring and outstanding examples of the sort of care we aim to deliver and they are worthy first recipients of these awards.

“I want to thank all of the patients and their families and carers who have taken the time and trouble to nominate our staff members.

"They have highlighted to us some of the amazing work that goes on at the hospital every day. Please keep the nominations coming."

To nominate a nurse or midwife click here or email your nomination to [email protected].