Two nurses working for Leicestershire Partnership NHS Trust (LPT) have received the international DAISY Award in recognition of the compassionate care they provide to patients and their families.
The DAISY Awards are an international recognition programme that honours and celebrates the exceptional care that many nurses and midwives provide every day.
Elizabeth Kitchin, known as Beth, works as a mental health practitioner for the Mental Health Response Vehicle and Urgent Care Hub. She was nominated for the compassionate and person-centred care she provides during times of crisis.
Beth’s nomination, from her patient, reads: “I have met Beth a few times over the last couple of years and in my recent crisis she was absolutely amazing. When I was in crisis and not even able to speak due to an autistic shutdown, Beth came out to my house with the response vehicle.
“Even though I wasn’t able to speak verbally she still directed all her questions at me and not my friend which I really appreciated. She read what I typed to her on my phone and didn’t make me feel like a nuisance for communicating in this different manner.
“She was calm and kind whilst in my house and even held my hand when I was upset. A few days later, I saw Beth again, this time in the urgent care hub. Again, she was warm, friendly and comforting. I was still unable to speak verbally and she was again patient with my written responses. She respected my wishes and listened carefully to my views on what treatment would be helpful for me; a truly person-centred and caring approach.”
Michelle Morris, a community staff nurse with the Rutland District Nursing team, was recognised for the exceptional end-of-life care she provided to a patient.
Michelle’s nomination, from her patient, reads: “The entire district nursing team showed such professionalism and compassion when they cared for my mum during her last illness. They were responsive, caring, and considered my mum’s needs and wishes throughout. Michelle Morris stood out though, for providing exceptional care.
“I looked after my mum for 10 days or so before she died, and almost every day Michelle visited to review her and manage her syringe driver. I’ve worked in the NHS for 25 years and can recognise outstanding nursing. Michelle delivered
exactly that. I’m aware that she organised the visits to ensure that she could see my Mum when she was on duty and deliver the continuity of care that was so important.
“My mum’s wish above everything else was to have a comfortable death that was not prolonged. Michelle worked closely with the palliative care team and was responsive to my mum’s wishes as her disease progressed.
“She was so kind to mum and us all during the most difficult of times. She allowed plenty of time for her review, so her visits were not rushed. The support that she gave us during those weeks was amazing, especially given the pressures that I know exist in community services.”
Both Beth and Michelle received their award from Jane Martin, assistant director for nursing and quality at LPT, accompanied by their colleagues.
Beth shared: “Receiving a DAISY Award feels incredibly humbling. Working in mental health crisis care, especially on the Mental Health Response Vehicle and in the Urgent Care Hub, means meeting people at some of the most vulnerable and frightening moments of their lives.
“I don’t do this work for recognition, so to know that someone felt supported enough to nominate me is deeply meaningful. It reminds me that compassion, calmness, and clear communication really do make a difference.”
Michelle said: “I feel very humble and honoured to be given a DAISY Award.”
When asked what Michelle loves most about being a nurse, she shared: “I feel that I can do something helpful and significant for others at what is sometimes the most stressful and scary time. There are so many opportunities, no two days are the same. If you embrace hard work and a challenge it can be a very fulfilling career.”
You can thank your nurse by making a DAISY Award nomination here: www.leicspart.nhs.uk/about/daisy-award/
An acronym for Diseases Attacking the Immune System, The DAISY Foundation was formed in America in November 1999, by the family of J. Patrick Barnes who died at age 33 of complications of Idiopathic Thrombocytopenic Purpura (ITP). The nursing care Patrick received when hospitalised profoundly touched his family.
You can find out more about the DAISY Foundation on their website: www.daisyfoundation.org/
Each DAISY Award honouree is recognised at a ceremony in their ward or department and receives a DAISY Award pin, certificate and a hand-carved sculpture A Healer’s Touch, funded by LPT’s charity Raising Health.