Elderly care nurse steps up during pandemic

Keely Felton, Staff Nurse on Ward 79

An elderly care nurse has been recognised for her outstanding efforts to support colleagues during the pandemic. Keely Felton works on ward 79 at Royal Stoke University Hospital and has been doing her best to make life cheerful for staff during a very challenging time.

Sandra Hughes, Ward Manager, said: “Keely is an integral part of the team and has gone above and beyond for the ward, doing extra shifts when needed and swapping shifts to help out. All of us on ward 79 appreciate her hard work and dedication to patients and colleagues. It has been extremely hard for us all working on a Covid ward throughout the pandemic and Keely has done her best to keep staff morale up. She has always put her team members before herself, doing whatever she can to make the best of the situation. We really do appreciate her.”

Keely has worked at UHNM for more than 14 years and has been with the elderly care team for the past three.

She has now been given the Employee of the Month award.

Keely was presented with her award by Michelle Rhodes, Chief Nurse

Keely said: “I am proud to be a part of the team on ward 79. They are more than colleagues, they are my extended family and I could not wish to work with a more caring and compassionate group of people. To be nominated for and win Employee of the Month is a great honour and I have been overwhelmed by people’s kind words and congratulations. It has been a very difficult and challenging year for all healthcare professionals but together we will continue to work hard and provide a high standard of care to all our patients and their families, as well as continuing to support each other.”