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Three nurses from Kettering General Hospital have received DAISY Awards for the outstanding compassionate and sensitive care they have provided.

Breast Care Nurse, Kath Phelan, former Harrowden A Ward Sister, Ambily Sreenivasan, and Paediatric Emergency Department Nurse, Natasha Welsford, were all nominated for their awards by patients or their families.

  Kath Phelan was nominated by Julia Vickers, from Kettering whose nomination reads:

  “Kath has been my breast care nurse since last December when I was diagnosed with cancer in both my breasts. I have had a bilateral mastectomy, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy! Kath has been there for me from day one. She has a very kind, caring and calming nature which has reassured me and kept me calm and positive. Although my treatment finished two weeks ago I still received a call from her today. Her dedication to her job and her patients is outstanding. I think she is one in a million. Thank you Kath for everything!”

  Sister Ambily Sreenivasan, who has now moved on from KGH, was nominated by a Abi Wood from Kettering.

  “Sister Ambily is an incredible nurse. Her compassion, consideration and attentiveness from day one of caring for my grandmother was truly inspiring. Ambily not only cared and nursed my grandmother but also made sure I was informed of details of my grandmother’s care. As an autistic individual I have always found processing information difficult so when I explained this to Ambily she was incredibly understanding and allowed me to write down what she was saying (this way I would be able to tell my mum all of the information without worrying I would be forgetting to write something down) The level of commitment Abily has shown has truly made a long-lasting impact. I take great pride in expressing my gratitude to sister Ambily. My favourite Nurse to be lucky enough to encounter over the 6 weeks (and multiple wards that my grandmother has been on). Harrowden A is a remarkable ward and every single healthcare assistant, nurse, sister, doctor I cannot express my gratitude towards. Especially or course to Ambily. Thank you once again for your kindness and hard work.”

  Deputy Sister in the Paediatric Emergency Department, Nurse Natasha Welsford, was nominated by Leanne Beeby who wrote: 

  “My daughter attended paediatric A&E, she felt very poorly and was frightened. Natasha went above and beyond to comfort my daughter and explain exactly what was going on to her and myself. Her explanation was child friendly and reassuring and she put my daughter at ease. Natasha also recognised that I was worried and ensured that I was OK and put at ease. I observed Natasha advocating for my child, she also ensured myself and daughter were included in any decision-making. Natasha demonstrated a child friendly approach and made our time in the department easier. All the staff in the A&E department were lovely and I was extremely happy with our care.”

  The DAISY Awards are an international recognition programme that honours and celebrates the exceptional care that many nurses and midwives provide every day.

  Since the scheme was launched at Kettering General Hospital in October 2020 some 340 KGH patients, family members and carers have nominated nurses and midwives for the award and 38 have received it.

  Each winner receives a certificate, a DAISY pin badge and “Healer’s Touch” sculpture.

  Deputy Chief Nurse Pam Smith said: “These well-deserved DAISY Awards show once again how much our patients appreciate the individualised care that our nurses provide.

  “Kath helped a patient through a very difficult time with her cancer and has demonstrated she was there to support her every step of the way.

  “Ambily has shown great consideration, compassion, and support for both her nominator her patient.

  “And Natasha went the extra mile with a mother and her daughter to ensure they were fully involved in their care and understood what was happening.

  “All three of these nurses demonstrated the high standards of care we aim to achieve and I was delighted for them to receive their DAISY Awards.”

  Anyone who has received outstanding care can nominate a member of KGH staff for a DAISY award by going to: https://kghnhs.verseonecloud.com/the-daisy-award/