Daz: Patient Hero Award
A security officer at Royal Derby Hospital has received a Making a Difference Award for showing compassion to a visitor, despite being assaulted by him a few years prior.
Daz, who has worked in our security team for 14 years, was patrolling the hospital corridors in November 2019 when he saw a man sat down crying. Despite recognising the man as the same person who had assaulted him many years ago, Daz sat on the floor with him, put his arm around him in and spent time showing supporting him, showing extreme compassion towards the man who was grieving the loss of his mother.
The former patient was so touched by Daz’s actions that he nominated him for a Patient Hero Award.
Daz said, “Whatever happens in my role, there are no prejudices. Every day is a clean slate and I don’t hold grudges against any patient or visitor I have worked with.
“We’re often called to support staff in wards and departments when patients are agitated or need additional supervision. It’s part of our role to show empathy and kindness.
“To me, I was just doing my job, but I’m so glad to hear that I was able to support him at such a difficult time in his life.”
If you’d like to nominate a member of staff for showing kindness, thoughtfulness or compassion towards you please email: uhdb.employeeawards@nhs.net