First OUH midwife receives DAISY Award

Nicky Howlett has become the first midwife at Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust to be presented with a prestigious DAISY Foundation Award.

The scheme allows patients, their families, and colleagues to nominate a registered nurse or midwife who has made a real difference by going above and beyond to deliver outstanding clinical care to their patients.

Nine nurses have so far been honoured with a DAISY (Diseases Attacking the Immune SYstem) award since the Trust joined the worldwide initiative in May 2018 - and Nicky is the first midwife at the Trust to be honoured.

Nicky, who is based at the Women's Centre in the John Radcliffe Hospital, received her award for the fantastic and compassionate care she delivered to a woman who developed complications during her pregnancy.

Her nominator said: "I was going to get someone else who is far more articulate to write this nomination, but I have decided to write it from the heart and fuelled by emotion, as this midwife will always be remembered in our hearts.

"Unfortunately at 39 weeks I developed HELLP Syndrome, a potentially very dangerous condition for mother and baby. We were admitted to the John Radcliffe Hospital and our little baby was delivered that day to treat the syndrome.

"This whole situation was so far from our birth plan and off our radar, it was scary. But our fears were listened to and comforted by our fantastic midwife Nicky.

"I had heard her with another patient and thought how kind and compassionate she was. From the start, Nicky gave us [the family] equal care, respect, dignity, and compassion.

"She held my hand when needed, and comforted me with the same compassion you would expect from a friend.

"Each pregnancy, family, baby, and situation are special and individual, and I have no doubt that Nicky would give each person, family, and situation the superb holistic care and compassion she gave us.

"As I write this I am crying as we are so grateful that we had such a fantastic midwife to guide and support us through the most special time of our lives."

Midwives play such a critical role in so many mothers' lives and the DAISY Awards enable them and their family to pay a heartfelt tribute to their own special midwife who truly surpassed what was expected of them.

Nicky said: "I want to express my gratitude to the family that nominated me. It means so much to me to be honoured in this way, and it is lovely to feel appreciated."

Recipients of DAISY Awards are 'surprised' on the ward they work on by Chief Nursing Officer Sam Foster, and are presented with an award pin, certificate, and hand-carved sculpture called 'A Healer's Touch'.

Sam said: "Nicky is the first midwife at the Trust to be presented with a DAISY Award, so it was an honour to surprise her at the end of her night shift and celebrate her exceptional work.

"She has thoroughly deserved the award, having demonstrated magnificent compassionate care to our patients, making a real difference to their experience in the process.

"It's an absolute privilege to hand out these awards to such amazing staff who have gone above and beyond to deliver skilful and considerate care across our hospitals."

Nominations are evaluated by our volunteers in the Magnet Program Team to ensure that the individuals meet the DAISY criteria. The Magnet Program is the international recognition scheme for hospitals with exceptional nursing.

More information on the winners so far can be found on our website.

To make a nomination, please download this form and return it to DAISY.Awards@ouh.nhs.uk or post (address on form).

Visit the DAISY website for more information.

Pictured: Nicky Howlett, centre, celebrates her award with her team.