Introducing the patient’s choice Susan Lovett’s support made a big difference to a man near the end of his life. Lynne Pearce reports

24 may 14 :: vol 28 no 37 :: 2014

was there to offer support. But her compassion did not end there. She asked if Mr Jacobs would like to go home for a visit the following Sunday when she was next on shift. As soon as she arrived at work two days later, Ms Lovett began making arrangements to transport Mr Jacobs home because, by then, he was too ill to travel by car. This meant persuading staff who were not convinced that he should have transport just to spend a few hours at home.

SUMMARY

‘I am 54 and I have been nursing all my life. This is the highlight of my career,’ says Susan Lovett, the winner of this year’s Nursing Standard Patient’s Choice Award. ‘It is an honour even to have been nominated. That someone would take the time to do this, especially when they are coping with their own grief, is very meaningful.’ She was put forward for the award by Amanda Jacobs, whose late husband Richard – known to everyone as Jake – was a patient on the oncology ward at the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital in Shropshire where Ms Lovett works. When the couple had to face devastating news broken to them by the oncologist, ‘unbelievably kind and empathetic’ Ms Lovett

Susan Lovett, a sister on an oncology ward in a Shropshire hospital, has won the Patient’s Choice Award. She was nominated for the ‘unbelievably kind and empathetic’ care she provided to a patient and his family. Author Lynne Pearce is a freelance journalist

NEIL O’CONNOR

Susan Lovett was nominated for her kind and empathetic care by Amanda Jacobs (right)

As a result of Ms Lovett’s efforts, Mr Jacobs left the hospital for a few hours and shared a meal and some precious time at home with his family. ‘Jake was overjoyed to be home for those few hours, and just being away from the hospital ward gave him an enormous boost,’ says Mrs Jacobs. ‘Those memories are so special to us now because tragically Jake died two weeks later. We will never be able to thank Sue enough for going the extra mile and recognising the huge importance that visit would have for us.’

Predilection

After qualifying as a nurse in 1981, Ms Lovett initially worked at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham. ‘I know it sounds cheesy, but I always wanted to nurse from a young age,’ she says. Married to a GP, she has worked in different specialties, including children’s nursing and coronary care. She began working at Shrewsbury Hospital’s oncology ward 15 years ago, being promoted to sister 12 years ago. ‘I especially enjoy oncology because we have the opportunity to develop close relationships with patients and their families over many months of treatment and care,’ she says. ‘I feel it is a privilege to get to know them.’ Of the award, Ms Lovett says: ‘Nothing like this has ever happened to me before. I am pleased for my colleagues too because we are all very supportive of each other.’ Ms Lovett was one of four finalists chosen from around 100 nominations by an expert panel that included the Patients Association, with members of the public having the final say on the eventual winner. ‘For my team, it has been an acknowledgement that we can – and do – make a difference to our patients’ lives. Patients do notice what you do,’ says Ms Lovett NS

NURSING STANDARD

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Introducing the patient's choice.

Susan Lovett, a sister on an oncology ward in a Shropshire hospital, has won the Patient's Choice Award. She was nominated for the 'unbelievably kind ...
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