Family nominate Airedale nurse for national care award (From Craven Herald)

Family nominate Airedale nurse for national care award

10:00am Wednesday 30th January 2013 in News

An Airedale nurse has been nominated for a national award.

Stephanie Lawrence, who works for Airedale NHS Foundation Trust as a team leader for the collaborative care team and Craven virtual ward, is one of four nurses shortlisted for the Claire Rayner’s patient choice award. Stephanie was put forward for the award, which is organised by Nursing Standard, by Julia Smith, the daughter of 72 year-old Thelma Franks, who had a severe stroke in February 2012.

Julia said Stephanie had single-handedly restored the family’s faith in the NHS after intervening when her mother failed to make progress after being discharged from hospital to a nursing home.

“We felt alone in what seemed to be a long lonely battle with healthcare professionals who didn’t seem to care,” said Julia. “It was at this point that Stephanie became involved.”

With Stephanie’s intervention, Julia’s mother stayed in the home for nine weeks, receiving the intensive physiotherapy that she needed to grow stronger and begin her recovery.

“Mum has made huge progress and is now slowly beginning to walk,” said Julia. “I can truly say I don’t know what we would have done without her.”

Stephanie said she was amazed but delighted to be nominated. “I don’t feel that I did anything special, I simply listened to what Thelma and her family wanted and did what was needed to help it happen. It’s my job as a nurse to ensure we involve patients and their families in their care.”

Now the public can vote for Stephanie by calling 0845 653 0195 and selecting B, texting NURSE followed by space then B to 81025 or visiting patients-choice.co.uk.

Voting closes on March 1 and the winner - who will receive £500 - will be announced at a ceremony at London’s Victoria and Albert Museum on March 12.