JOHN HOULIHAN
Who will be this Suren Beebakhy with David Heywood, one of six patients to nominate him
Lynne Pearce finds out from grateful patients and loved ones why they felt moved to nominate Suren Beebakhy ‘It was a privilege to be his patient’ compassionate Patient Jackie Morris recalls how A consummate professional and a very Mr Beebakhy helped to care for her mother special practitioner is how patient professionals for during the last weeks of her life. ‘He got us David Heywood describes Suren Beebakhy, through the tough days,’ she says. ‘All our a community nurse in Greater Manchester. our special award family feel Suren is the perfect person for this ‘I was one of the first patients in Whether helping to make one man’s final days more bearable, offering support in times of crisis or demonstrating exceptional professional skills, this year’s finalists for the Patient’s Choice award have all been examples of nursing at its best. An expert judging panel including the award’s sponsor, the Patients Association, shortlisted four outstanding individuals from a field of more than 100 nominations. Now the public will decide who wins this special award and a prize of £500. Voting is open until Friday April 25. You can vote at www.patients-choice.co.uk or cast your vote with a phone call or text (see box on p22). The winner will be announced at the Nurse Awards 2014 ceremony at The Savoy hotel in London on Friday May 9.
our community to receive intravenous antibiotics for an acute foot infection,’ says Mr Heywood, who lives in Hyde. ‘The treatment I received from Mr Beebakhy was of the highest standard. His technical expertise and constant reassurance was exemplary to the point of being humbling. I am particularly appreciative that such a skilled practitioner was able to offer their services in my home.’ As one of six patients to nominate Mr Beebakhy, Mr Heywood says: ‘I feel privileged to have been treated by him.’
award. He deserves to be recognised for the palliative care he gave. We are so pleased we have met such a caring, kind person.’ Discovering he was shortlisted came as a big surprise to the nurse. ‘I feel very humbled,’ he says. ‘Some of my patients kept telling me they were going to nominate me, but you don’t expect to be a finalist.’ With a background in A&E, he has worked in the community for six years. ‘I do everything – the A to Z of nursing. We have a fantastic team and you can’t do it on your own. I feel proud to be a community nurse.’
Paula Lawrence ‘So thoughtful and compassionate’ When Yvonne Pywell was admitted to the Welland Centre at St Mary’s Hospital in Kettering over Christmas with severe depression, healthcare assistant Paula Lawrence became her refuge. ‘I met Paula in the first couple of days,’ explains Ms Pywell. ‘Without the need for stupid pranks, false frivolity or loud behaviour, Paula’s presence was felt. Her approach was calm, caring and capable.’ As an inpatient for 12 days, Ms Pywell (pictured with Paula) came to rely on her, particularly when she was distressed or needed someone to confide in. ‘Every time Paula was on duty, she made sure I was okay.
20 march 12 :: vol 28 no 28 :: 2014
‘She would come and see me frequently to sit and chat, or more often just to listen,’ says Ms Pywell. ‘Nothing appeared to faze her. Incredibly, Paula retained much of the information that I shared. This demonstrated her ability to listen. She would remember details from previous conversations – the names of family members, my relationships or mishaps – and at the relevant time she would contribute to the conversation, with thoughtful, compassionate and factual comments.’ Yvonne recalls that at her lowest ebb Paula encouraged her to have a bath, afterwards drying her hair for her.
NURSING STANDARD
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year’s Patient’s Choice?
‘Everything she did – the cups of tea, the daily chats, the care, the compassion, the understanding without judging, going the extra mile – she did without expecting praise. Her compassion shone out, and her devotion to patient care went far beyond any job description. She deserves recognition and praise from the highest level.’ Now in her 20th year working at the Northamptonshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, with the last eight on Kingfisher ward, Paula says: ‘I feel honoured and shocked to be a finalist. I didn’t know anything about it. I like everything about my job – and it’s been great to meet up with Yvonne again, now she is feeling better.’
NURSING STANDARD
Nurse Susan Lovett with Amanda Jacobs
my husband phoned me elated to say he was on his way home,’ recalls Ms Jacobs. At the time, Mr Jacobs’ sister was visiting from Israel. ‘She knew that when she left she would never see her brother again,’ says Ms Jacobs. ‘That day, my husband shared lunch with his brother, his sister and me in our home. For a Jewish family, eating
together is an important part of the culture and those memories will be so very important to us forever. Jake died two weeks later and that visit was the last time he ever saw his home. ‘We will never be able to thank sister Sue enough for going the extra mile and recognising the huge importance that visit would have for us.’ For Ms Lovett, becoming a finalist is surprising and flattering. ‘To be told you have done something outstanding, when you think you have just been doing your job, is very flattering. You are part of a team and any one of us could have been nominated, really,’ she says. ‘What is admirable is that Amanda nominated me when she was bereft. The NHS is getting a bad press at the moment, so when someone takes the time to do something like this, it is even more special. We are all working very hard and are stretched, so sometimes it is easy to forget that what is at the centre of the NHS are patients and the people who love them. ‘On this ward, we are often trying to make the last few days or weeks of a patient’s life as good as possible. ‘Even though they were going through such a traumatic time, I hope Amanda and her family can look back and think that was a happy day.’
Healthcare assistant Paula Lawrence, left, shares a cuppa with Yvonne Pywell
TIM GEORGE
Although Amanda Jacobs’ husband Richard (known as Jake) had terminal cancer, the couple had been told he had up to two years left to live. Sadly, after he was admitted to the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital with side effects, the family was told that his cancer had spread and he was in the last few weeks of his life. When the oncologist broke the news, sister Susan Lovett was there to offer her support. ‘Obviously we were devastated,’ says Ms Jacobs, who lives in Wolverhampton. ‘Afterwards, she was unbelievably kind and empathetic.’ But the nurse’s compassion did not end there. She asked if Mr Jacobs would like to be able to go home for a few hours on Sunday, when she was next on shift. ‘This gave my husband the most unbelievable boost and something huge to focus on through the following day,’ Ms Jacobs explains. As soon as she arrived at work two days later, Ms Lovett began making arrangements to transport Mr Jacobs home, as by then he was too ill to travel by car. This meant persuading others, who were not convinced to begin with that he should have transport just to spend a few hours at home. ‘After some hours,
NEIL O’CONNOR
Susan Lovett ‘Thanks to her, my dying husband had one last meal at home’
march 12 :: vol 28 no 28 :: 2014 21
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Ann Tasker ‘The only person I wanted around me when my baby son died’
JOHN HOULIHAN
Midwife Ann Tasker (left) with Claire Marsden and daughter Lily
Out of tragedy has been forged a lasting friendship between midwife Ann Tasker and her patient Claire Marsden of Skipton, North Yorkshire. The two met in 2009 when Ms Marsden was in labour at Airedale General Hospital in Keighley. ‘Despite being in charge of the whole labour ward, Ann immediately moved me to a private labour room and offered me more pain relief. She was there to support me during the rest of my labour and, several hours later, my son Harry was born,’ she says.
Sadly, Harry became very ill and was diagnosed with a brain tumour when he was ten months old. He died two weeks later. ‘The pain was, and still is, unbearable,’ says Ms Marsden. ‘Ann got in touch with me straightaway and sent me her sympathy, offering her help and a shoulder if I needed it. I was truly grateful and felt we had a connection, as she had brought Harry into the world. Ann came to the funeral. It was horrific, but she was the one and only person I wanted near me and around to hug me.’
In 2011, Ms Tasker became pregnant again. ‘I asked Ann if she would consider looking after me in labour as I felt so scared and anxious,’ she says. ‘Ann put herself on call for me over the last few weeks of my pregnancy, with support from her bosses at Airedale Hospital. On January 17 2012, she delivered my daughter Lily.’ Since Harry’s death, Ms Marsden has set up a fund called Harry’s Star, with the charity Brain Tumour Research and Support. It has already raised more than £50,000. ‘Ann has supported me in this. She even organised a charity walk in 2013 when she and some of her workmates from Airedale maternity unit walked the Three Peaks, raising more than £2,500. Ann totally deserves this award. She is dedicated and driven 110 per cent. Her passion and love is passed on to her patients.’ Delighted to be a finalist, Ms Tasker says: ‘You don’t expect to be nominated for an award, but when it happens it feels really good for everyone. The hospital is really pleased too. I have so much admiration for Claire. She has taken all that has happened to her and turned it into something positive. Claire has now asked me to be a godmother to her daughter Lily, which is lovely.’
Vote now Call: 0845 653 0195* and select A, B, C or D Text: NURSE followed a space and the letter A, B, C or D to 81025** Go to: www.patients-choice.co.uk
A Suren Beebakhy
B Susan Lovett
C Paula Lawrence
D Ann Tasker
* Call costs will vary according to the caller’s network ** Texts are charged at normal network rates 22 march 12 :: vol 28 no 28 :: 2014
NURSING STANDARD
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Who will be this Suren Beebakhy with David Heywood, one of six patients to nominate him
Lynne Pearce finds out from grateful patients and loved ones why they felt moved to nominate Suren Beebakhy ‘It was a privilege to be his patient’ compassionate Patient Jackie Morris recalls how A consummate professional and a very Mr Beebakhy helped to care for her mother special practitioner is how patient professionals for during the last weeks of her life. ‘He got us David Heywood describes Suren Beebakhy, through the tough days,’ she says. ‘All our a community nurse in Greater Manchester. our special award family feel Suren is the perfect person for this ‘I was one of the first patients in Whether helping to make one man’s final days more bearable, offering support in times of crisis or demonstrating exceptional professional skills, this year’s finalists for the Patient’s Choice award have all been examples of nursing at its best. An expert judging panel including the award’s sponsor, the Patients Association, shortlisted four outstanding individuals from a field of more than 100 nominations. Now the public will decide who wins this special award and a prize of £500. Voting is open until Friday April 25. You can vote at www.patients-choice.co.uk or cast your vote with a phone call or text (see box on p22). The winner will be announced at the Nurse Awards 2014 ceremony at The Savoy hotel in London on Friday May 9.
our community to receive intravenous antibiotics for an acute foot infection,’ says Mr Heywood, who lives in Hyde. ‘The treatment I received from Mr Beebakhy was of the highest standard. His technical expertise and constant reassurance was exemplary to the point of being humbling. I am particularly appreciative that such a skilled practitioner was able to offer their services in my home.’ As one of six patients to nominate Mr Beebakhy, Mr Heywood says: ‘I feel privileged to have been treated by him.’
award. He deserves to be recognised for the palliative care he gave. We are so pleased we have met such a caring, kind person.’ Discovering he was shortlisted came as a big surprise to the nurse. ‘I feel very humbled,’ he says. ‘Some of my patients kept telling me they were going to nominate me, but you don’t expect to be a finalist.’ With a background in A&E, he has worked in the community for six years. ‘I do everything – the A to Z of nursing. We have a fantastic team and you can’t do it on your own. I feel proud to be a community nurse.’
Paula Lawrence ‘So thoughtful and compassionate’ When Yvonne Pywell was admitted to the Welland Centre at St Mary’s Hospital in Kettering over Christmas with severe depression, healthcare assistant Paula Lawrence became her refuge. ‘I met Paula in the first couple of days,’ explains Ms Pywell. ‘Without the need for stupid pranks, false frivolity or loud behaviour, Paula’s presence was felt. Her approach was calm, caring and capable.’ As an inpatient for 12 days, Ms Pywell (pictured with Paula) came to rely on her, particularly when she was distressed or needed someone to confide in. ‘Every time Paula was on duty, she made sure I was okay.
20 march 12 :: vol 28 no 28 :: 2014
‘She would come and see me frequently to sit and chat, or more often just to listen,’ says Ms Pywell. ‘Nothing appeared to faze her. Incredibly, Paula retained much of the information that I shared. This demonstrated her ability to listen. She would remember details from previous conversations – the names of family members, my relationships or mishaps – and at the relevant time she would contribute to the conversation, with thoughtful, compassionate and factual comments.’ Yvonne recalls that at her lowest ebb Paula encouraged her to have a bath, afterwards drying her hair for her.
NURSING STANDARD
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year’s Patient’s Choice?
‘Everything she did – the cups of tea, the daily chats, the care, the compassion, the understanding without judging, going the extra mile – she did without expecting praise. Her compassion shone out, and her devotion to patient care went far beyond any job description. She deserves recognition and praise from the highest level.’ Now in her 20th year working at the Northamptonshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, with the last eight on Kingfisher ward, Paula says: ‘I feel honoured and shocked to be a finalist. I didn’t know anything about it. I like everything about my job – and it’s been great to meet up with Yvonne again, now she is feeling better.’
NURSING STANDARD
Nurse Susan Lovett with Amanda Jacobs
my husband phoned me elated to say he was on his way home,’ recalls Ms Jacobs. At the time, Mr Jacobs’ sister was visiting from Israel. ‘She knew that when she left she would never see her brother again,’ says Ms Jacobs. ‘That day, my husband shared lunch with his brother, his sister and me in our home. For a Jewish family, eating
together is an important part of the culture and those memories will be so very important to us forever. Jake died two weeks later and that visit was the last time he ever saw his home. ‘We will never be able to thank sister Sue enough for going the extra mile and recognising the huge importance that visit would have for us.’ For Ms Lovett, becoming a finalist is surprising and flattering. ‘To be told you have done something outstanding, when you think you have just been doing your job, is very flattering. You are part of a team and any one of us could have been nominated, really,’ she says. ‘What is admirable is that Amanda nominated me when she was bereft. The NHS is getting a bad press at the moment, so when someone takes the time to do something like this, it is even more special. We are all working very hard and are stretched, so sometimes it is easy to forget that what is at the centre of the NHS are patients and the people who love them. ‘On this ward, we are often trying to make the last few days or weeks of a patient’s life as good as possible. ‘Even though they were going through such a traumatic time, I hope Amanda and her family can look back and think that was a happy day.’
Healthcare assistant Paula Lawrence, left, shares a cuppa with Yvonne Pywell
TIM GEORGE
Although Amanda Jacobs’ husband Richard (known as Jake) had terminal cancer, the couple had been told he had up to two years left to live. Sadly, after he was admitted to the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital with side effects, the family was told that his cancer had spread and he was in the last few weeks of his life. When the oncologist broke the news, sister Susan Lovett was there to offer her support. ‘Obviously we were devastated,’ says Ms Jacobs, who lives in Wolverhampton. ‘Afterwards, she was unbelievably kind and empathetic.’ But the nurse’s compassion did not end there. She asked if Mr Jacobs would like to be able to go home for a few hours on Sunday, when she was next on shift. ‘This gave my husband the most unbelievable boost and something huge to focus on through the following day,’ Ms Jacobs explains. As soon as she arrived at work two days later, Ms Lovett began making arrangements to transport Mr Jacobs home, as by then he was too ill to travel by car. This meant persuading others, who were not convinced to begin with that he should have transport just to spend a few hours at home. ‘After some hours,
NEIL O’CONNOR
Susan Lovett ‘Thanks to her, my dying husband had one last meal at home’
march 12 :: vol 28 no 28 :: 2014 21
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Ann Tasker ‘The only person I wanted around me when my baby son died’
JOHN HOULIHAN
Midwife Ann Tasker (left) with Claire Marsden and daughter Lily
Out of tragedy has been forged a lasting friendship between midwife Ann Tasker and her patient Claire Marsden of Skipton, North Yorkshire. The two met in 2009 when Ms Marsden was in labour at Airedale General Hospital in Keighley. ‘Despite being in charge of the whole labour ward, Ann immediately moved me to a private labour room and offered me more pain relief. She was there to support me during the rest of my labour and, several hours later, my son Harry was born,’ she says.
Sadly, Harry became very ill and was diagnosed with a brain tumour when he was ten months old. He died two weeks later. ‘The pain was, and still is, unbearable,’ says Ms Marsden. ‘Ann got in touch with me straightaway and sent me her sympathy, offering her help and a shoulder if I needed it. I was truly grateful and felt we had a connection, as she had brought Harry into the world. Ann came to the funeral. It was horrific, but she was the one and only person I wanted near me and around to hug me.’
In 2011, Ms Tasker became pregnant again. ‘I asked Ann if she would consider looking after me in labour as I felt so scared and anxious,’ she says. ‘Ann put herself on call for me over the last few weeks of my pregnancy, with support from her bosses at Airedale Hospital. On January 17 2012, she delivered my daughter Lily.’ Since Harry’s death, Ms Marsden has set up a fund called Harry’s Star, with the charity Brain Tumour Research and Support. It has already raised more than £50,000. ‘Ann has supported me in this. She even organised a charity walk in 2013 when she and some of her workmates from Airedale maternity unit walked the Three Peaks, raising more than £2,500. Ann totally deserves this award. She is dedicated and driven 110 per cent. Her passion and love is passed on to her patients.’ Delighted to be a finalist, Ms Tasker says: ‘You don’t expect to be nominated for an award, but when it happens it feels really good for everyone. The hospital is really pleased too. I have so much admiration for Claire. She has taken all that has happened to her and turned it into something positive. Claire has now asked me to be a godmother to her daughter Lily, which is lovely.’
Vote now Call: 0845 653 0195* and select A, B, C or D Text: NURSE followed a space and the letter A, B, C or D to 81025** Go to: www.patients-choice.co.uk
A Suren Beebakhy
B Susan Lovett
C Paula Lawrence
D Ann Tasker
* Call costs will vary according to the caller’s network ** Texts are charged at normal network rates 22 march 12 :: vol 28 no 28 :: 2014
NURSING STANDARD
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