Exceptional nurses receive international recognition

Two outstanding nurses have been presented with a prestigious award to acknowledge the exceptional care they provide to patients.

Sherwood Forest Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust’s Lisa Nixon and Ryan Inumerable received their DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurses on Wednesday 14 June.

The DAISY award is an international recognition programme which aims to recognise the amazing work performed by nursing colleagues across the world.

The pair were presented with their awards by CEO of the DAISY Foundation Dr Deb Zimmerman at a ceremony which was held at the Trust’s King’s Mill Hospital. The awards themselves are something special, called the Healer’s Touch, each are handmade by members of the Shona Tribe in Zimbabwe.

Named Nurse Lead for Safeguarding Children Lisa Nixon was nominated for her DAISY award by Chief Nurse Phil Bolton after she displayed outstanding care, compassion and leadership when looking after a young child in an incredibly complex case.

Phil said: “Throughout the episode of care Lisa epitomised everything the NHS stands for, demonstrated the Trust’s CARE values and gave an example of what is expected from the nursing profession. Lisa put the patient at the centre of everything she did, going over and above to ensure the child was cared for physically, mentally, and emotionally. She is truly deserving and made me exceptionally proud to be a fellow nurse.”

Lisa said of the award: “I’m so surprised to receive this. It’s so humbling to know that someone has taken the time to think about my role and how it has made a difference. It inspires me to continue to be an advocate to those who need it the most.”

Hepatobiliary (HPB) Cancer Nurse Specialist Ryan Inumerable was nominated by Kate Robinson and Pat Goddard.

Ryan looked after Kate’s dad and Pat’s husband Colin over a period of 18 months while he had bile duct cancer. Ryan provided invaluable support to the family during a time when COVID restrictions were in place, becoming an advocate for Colin and treating him with respect and dignity and preparing him both emotionally and physically for the end stages of life. Ryan provided an invaluable link to the hospital at a time when the Newark-based family were only able to see Colin for hour-long visits at King’s Mill Hospital. HPB Nurses specialise in working with patients with pancreatic disease and all Hepatobiliary cancers (pancreas, liver and bile ducts).

Ryan was very humbled to receive his award and said: “I was just doing my job, which is something I do every day. I would do the same for all my patients.”

Presenting the awards, Dr Deb Zimmerman, of the DAISY Foundation, said: “On behalf of the DAISY Foundation we are delighted to participate in today’s celebration honouring two extraordinary nurses, Ryan and Lisa, who exemplify all that is great within the profession.”

The Diseases Attacking the Immune System (DAISY) Foundation was established in 1999 by the family of J. Patrick Barnes after he sadly died from complications of an auto-immune disease. The family felt compelled to say ‘thank you’ to nurses in a very public way after seeing the care shown to Patrick and his entire family during his illness, leading to the creation of the DAISY Award. The DAISY Award is now celebrated in healthcare facilities and schools of nursing in countries all around the world and recognises examples of extraordinary nursing.

Since the awards were launched at Sherwood Forest Hospitals in 2020, it has had a total of 16 DAISY award winners. Previous winners Lauren Brown, Matron for Outpatients; Camilla Simanis, Deputy Ward Leader (ward 12); Tina Wright, Department Leader (Critical Care) and Marie Lock, Associate Dermatologist Specialist Nurse also attended the event.

They were joined by colleagues including Shantell Miles, Director of Nursing, and Paul Robinson, Chief Executive, who provided a warm welcome.