Poojalakshmi Baiju

Poojalakshmi Baiju, one of our staff nurses on the Urology Ward at the Churchill Hospital, received a DAISY Award in recognition of the exceptional compassionate care she provided for a young patient with additional needs.

Her nominator said: "Pooja is just starting her nursing career, but she is a brilliant nurse, and I want to recognise and thank her for all she has done for me.

"I spent two weeks in the ward and was very well looked after by all the nurses. However, Pooja stood out and made such a huge difference to me.

"I was finding it hard being an inpatient for all that time and was very distressed and struggled to stay above water mentally. Pooja took so much trouble to make me feel calmer and cheerful.

"She has such a kind, calm and caring manner and a lovely smile - she understood exactly when I needed a kind hand on my shoulder or some words of comfort. She even came with me to theatre and stayed until I was settled.

"Not only to me, but she was also kind and comforting to my mum who had to spend so much time with me at the hospital - telling her that she is doing a good job and that she is a strong woman, which was so touching that it made her cry.

"We both really appreciated Pooja's quiet presence and her wonderful instincts about saying and doing the right thing at the right moment to make us feel better.

"The ward and the NHS are lucky to have Pooja, and I wish her all the best for her career."

Congratulations Pooja, and thank you for all you do.