BOUQUET OF THE WEEK Patient’s thanks to Velindre ward sister
A BUSY ward sister who goes out of her way to help her patients is our latest Echo Bouquet of the Week winner.
Cathryn John, 37, who works at Velindre Cancer Centre in Cardiff, has been nominated by former patient Jean Evans.
Cathryn, from Caerphilly, looked after Jean after she was admitted to her ward with neutropenic sepsis while receiving treatment for endometrial cancer.
Along with treating her other patients, the mother of two went out of her way to help Jean and create a positive atmosphere on the ward.
Jean, 75, from Llanedeyrn, said: “I couldn’t fault anything. Cath runs a very tight ship but she’s very aware of what her patients are suffering.
“The staff couldn’t do enough and that came from her leadership. Without me asking, she got a reflexologist, she’s that sort of person. I had my pressure points checked three times a day which was incredible.”
She added: “I didn’t want to go to hospital but I wouldn’t mind much again if it was Velindre.”
Cathryn, who started in the ward in 2005 after working at Velindre during her training, said: “It’s a busy ward but a lovely ward. We have such a nice team and that’s makes it worthwhile.”
After first working as an air hostess, Cathryn changed her career to follow in her mother’s footsteps as a nurse and help other people.
She said: “We all work long days on the ward with 12-and-a-half hour it so shifts so it can be really busy.
“We look after palliative and curative patients so we do treatment for symptoms but also take care of people who are acutely unwell.
“I really enjoy my job and it can be a lovely career. It’s very rewarding but to be nominated for a bouquet I didn’t expect at all.”
Cathryn, who has a six-year-old and a four-year-old daughter, manages her busy shifts through the help of her family.
She said: “I couldn’t do it without my mum and my husband.”
If you know someone who deserves an Echo Bouquet of the Week, e-mail your nomination, with reasons, and your name, address and telephone number to echo. newsdesk@walesonline.co.uk You can also write to South Wales Echo, Six Park Street, Cardiff, CF10 1XR. Usual Media Wales terms and conditions apply and all nominees must agree to be photographed.