Kayleigh honoured to get award after helping distressed patient
A FEMALE security officer who comforted a distressed patient has been hailed a “true credit” to the NHS.
Kayleigh Mellor has won a Making a Difference Award at the University Hospitals of Derby and Burton Trust after being nominated by the patient’s mum.
Kayleigh was still training at Royal Derby Hospital when she encountered a young patient who was distressed.
She took the time to comfort the patient and persuaded her to get the treatment she needed, much to the relief of her mum, who nominated Kayleigh for the Patient Hero Award.
The nomination, thanking Kayleigh “from the bottom of their hearts,” said: “My daughter was admitted with mental health [problems], and ran off the ward, and had no intention of returning. Nobody could get through to her, not even me.
“Kayleigh found my daughter sat with me, I had been trying to persuade her to go back for a while, to no avail. Kayleigh took the time to sit and talk to my daughter, walked her back to her room, and managed to get her to take her medication, and have something to eat. She even wrote her a positive quote which she still reads to this day which helps her more than Kayleigh probably realises.”
She said that the experience has had a lasting impact on her daughter’s “frame of mind and outlook on life”.
She said: “I just cannot thank or credit her enough, it’s been years and I feel like I have my daughter back, all from one conversation with your security officer. She even went above and beyond and bought her some lunch which she and I were so grateful for.
“Please thank her from the bottom of our hearts. She is a true credit to UHDB. Thank you for everything your trust and staff do.”
Kayleigh was shocked to receive the award, but glad to have made a difference.
She said: “I really don’t know what to say. I was so shocked to find out someone had nominated me, but I just feel glad that I have made a difference which is why I wanted to do this job in the first place. I have a history with mental health so I know how important it is just to give people the time of day and listen to what they need.
“It’s nice to know that she has gone home feeling better, and that is more than enough for me.”