Specialist nurse Gill recognised by 'forever grateful' family for going above and beyond for patient on end-of-life care
A specialist nurse at Royal Derby Hospital who treated a patient before they sadly passed away, received recognition by their family for providing the compassionate care that allowed them to "pass away peacefully and with dignity".
Gill Cook, a Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) in Upper Gastrointestinal (known as 'Upper GI') Oncology, first met the patient following their diagnosis of cancer. When the patient's condition deteriorated, she worked tirelessly to move him from A&E to Ward 303 - ensuring he had a private room so his family could be with him in his final moments. Gill stayed late into the evening and went above and beyond to provide additional support to the family, ensuring the patient’s comfort and dignity.
Gill's specialist role has a unique focus on supporting patients diagnosed with metastatic cancers - which are cancers that have spread from their original site to other parts of the body. These diagnoses often come with complex medical and emotional challenges, and Gill’s expertise allows her to provide holistic care, addressing not only the patient’s broader medical needs, but also the concerns of their loved ones.
Following her care of the patient, their son wrote to UHDB to express the family's gratitude for Gill's "exceptional care and compassionate support" - nominating her for a Patient Hero Award, a category of our monthly Making a Difference Awards which are nominated for by our patients, their families, and our communities.
In the letter, the patient's son reflected on his father's care, saying Gill went "far beyond" what they could have ever expected - supporting the entire family during a painful time, for which he said they "will forever be grateful" for her kindness and compassion.
The Patient Hero Making a Difference Award was presented to Gill at Royal Derby Hospital by Trust Chair, Prem Singh, in an emotional surprise ceremony.
After receiving the award and learning of the family's kind words in a letter to the trust, Gill said: “I feel completely overwhelmed and incredibly honoured."
She continued: "It’s so touching that the family thought of me during such a heartbreaking time. It astounds me to know I've had this impact on their lives - but I’m just passionate about providing the best care I can for patients and their families. Knowing I helped bring them some comfort means everything to me."
Gill’s journey in nursing began in Leicester, and after working her way up to become a deputy ward sister, she moved to Derby to join UHDB. Initially working in acute medicine, Gill later transitioned to cancer care, taking on a role that required her to develop expertise and new skillsets in chemotherapy and oncology.
In 2022, Gill took up her current role as a CNS, which can play a key part of the end-of-life care we deliver at UHDB. Facilitating what some call a 'good death' is a vital part of a patient journey for those receiving palliative, or end-of-life care - ensuring they receive dignity, comfort, and compassion in their final moments. Providing this level of care not only eases a patient’s passing, but also supports their loved ones by respecting their wishes and helping them find comfort during an incredibly difficult time.
Gill describes her current role as both challenging, yet also deeply rewarding - saying:
"Of course, it can be a very hard job at times but knowing that I'm able to touch people's lives in this way really is an honour.
"Everyone in cancer services here support each other, and I just love this team. Everyone, no matter their role, plays a vital part in delivering care to our patients at what can be some of the most difficult times in their lives - and that of their families.
"Having this huge network of support across the team is so important to delivering the best possible care to our communities - and I have an incredibly caring husband who I can always go to when I need a boost. I just try and ensure that I always give our patients and their families that same level of support that means so much to me, because I know the difference that feeling seen and heard in this setting can make."
After presenting Gill with her well-deserved Patient Hero Award, our Trust Chair, Prem Singh, said that this recognition demonstrates the impact that "leading with compassion" has when delivering care to our communities. He continued: “Gill’s deeply considerate, dedicated approach to the care of her patients embodies the values we hold dear at UHDB.
"Her commitment to ensuring dignity and comfort for patients, while supporting their families through the most difficult moments, is truly inspiring. She has made an incredible difference to the family, and we are so proud to have her as part of our team.”
Nominate a UHDB colleague for a Making a Difference Award
If you, or someone you know has received outstanding care at UHDB, you too can nominate a colleague or team for a monthly Making a Difference Award, in the Patient Hero Award category.
Our Making a Difference Awards celebrate those who have shown exceptional care and who have delivered improvements across safety, quality, effectiveness and patient experience and demonstrated the Trust values of Compassion, Openness and Excellence.
There are three monthly Making a Difference Awards categories:
- CEO Award – chosen by our Chief Executive, Stephen Posey
- Patient Hero Award – nominated by our patients, families and visitors
- Excellence Award - nominated by colleagues and teams
To nominate a colleague or team for a Patient Hero Award, please contact uhdb.employeeawards@nhs.net .