Nurse uses own time to facilitate last home visit for patient

A nurse who used her own time to accompany a palliative patient on their last visit home has been recognised for her outstanding compassion. Anum Mehmood gave up four hours on Christmas Day to be with the patient, enabling them to fulfil their wish of seeing their wife and dogs once more. 

Rachel Sutton, nursing assistant, said: “With everything going on it was very difficult for us to be able to discharge patients in time for Christmas and for some people we were sadly unable to find suitable nursing and care homes in time for the special day. Some patients also couldn’t go home due to their complex needs.

“This particular patient’s wife was unable to make it into hospital due to her own medical needs, so Anum gave up her time to come into work and escort the patient home via ambulance. Thanks to Anum, he was able to have as much time as he needed with his family for the last time.”

Anum, who works on ward 111 at Royal Stoke, has been given the Employee of the Month award in recognition of her outstanding care and compassion.

Anum said: “The visit could only be carried out with a tracheostomy-trained nurse and I knew how much the patient wanted to go home. He said it would be his first Christmas in 50 years without his wife, so I wanted to do it.”

Lisa Thomson, Director of Communications, presented Anum with her certificate

Lisa Thomson, Director of Communications, said: “If that was my dad I’d have just been overwhelmed. I’ve heard from your team that this is just who you are and what you do and I think you’re amazing. It would be fantastic if everybody in the world acted like this. We can’t do much but we can celebrate what you did and thank you.”

Anum took a photograph of the family that they have now framed and will treasure as a lasting memory.