Kristie, Adele, and Helen showed compassion, care, confidence, and common sense while caring for a critical and frail patient with a complex respiratory condition on Beech Ward. This patient was due to be discharged, but due to difficulties managing their oxygen, the discharge was delayed.

Despite the requirement to do their observations regularly, they all recognised the negative impact this was having on both the patient and their partner. They highlighted this to the medical team who appropriately agreed and changed the frequency. They also recognised quickly the signs of hypercapnia, which is not easily recognised by doing observations. Instead, it takes knowing the patient, experience, and confidence.

They also highlighted this to the medical team. On acknowledging this, the medical team had a conversation with the patient and partner, explaining the observation and subsequent blood gas. The agreement was to continue to aim for discharge, to monitor and keep the patient comfortable, but to be aware that the patient remains critical and may die. The patient subsequently did die peacefully in their sleep in the early hours of the next morning.

Adele and Helen, as a band 2 and 3, have shown, and always show, how their experience and knowledge of their patient goes well above any grading number they may have. They are a credit to the ward, and they should be proud of their actions, as we are of them. This also demonstrates how well the clinical team and ward team work together, respect each other, and listen when their unified goal is to care for the patient and their family.

We’re incredibly proud of Kristie, Adele and Helen.