'Incredible' Gynaecology Assessment Unit receive Patient Hero Award
The Gynaecology Assessment Unit at Royal Derby Hospital have been recognised for the support they offered to a patient suffering with acute morning sickness by being presented with June’s Patient Hero Monthly Making a Difference Award.
The patient commended the team’s compassion and understanding and praised them for making them feel comfortable during what was a difficult time.
At the time of writing, the patient was 19 weeks pregnant and had been suffering with hyperemesis gravidarum, which is often referred to as acute morning sickness, meaning they needed almost daily anti-sickness injections to stave off symptoms.
However, the patient also had a phobia of hospitals and needles, making this an upsetting period for them.
The nomination read: “Each nurse, receptionist and doctor I have had the pleasure to meet during this really difficult time has been incredible. I have cried, screamed and refused injections, but these ladies have taken so much time and effort to ensure my baby and I are safe and treated well, to ease my fears and make me feel so comfortable at every moment.
“Even just passing me the tissues and sitting with me for a minute while I cry for no reason. The staff all deserve to win awards for their unrelenting efforts, day in, day out, dealing with hundreds of women who are at their saddest, happiest and scariest moments.”
Presenting the team with the award, Chair Dr Kathy McLean, said: “It’s a wonderful story. It’s lovely to hear of such compassion and care for this patient, as it can be very scary coming to hospital. Well done to the whole team.”
If you would like to nominate a colleague or team for a Monthly Making a Difference Award, please let us know.
There are four monthly Making a Difference Awards categories:
- Chief Executive Award – chosen by Gavin Boyle
- Patient Hero Award – nominated by patients
- Team UHDB Award – you can nominate your team or another team
- Excellent Employee Award – you can nominate your colleagues
You can send a 300 word nomination, along with the name of the team or individual, their job title and where they work, to: uhdb.employeeawards@nhs.net.