Debbie still giving after long career in baby care
A baby care specialist who has worked and volunteered for the NHS for nearly 40 years has been nominated for a Bristol & Bath Health and Care award.
Debbie Grant, 61, who retired five years ago, still volunteers for Bliss, a charity that raises funds for the care of premature and sick babies and their families.
She also undertakes various fundraising activities and is an integral part of a hospital choir.
As a result, Debbie has been nominated in the Volunteer of the Year category at the Bristol & Bath Health And Care Awards.
It really is a labour of love for Debbie - giving that extra support to families who need it during the most emotionally taxing stages of their lives.
Justin Irwin, chief executive of Bliss, said: “We are thrilled that the hard work and dedication of our amazing volunteer Debbie is being recognised and wish her the best of luck on the night of the awards.
“Bliss volunteers like Debbie are a remarkable group of people who give up their free time to support parents going through one of the most challenging experiences of their lives.
“Life on a neonatal unit can be overwhelming and distressing for families at times. Bliss volunteers are able to signpost parents to information about their baby’s care and offer emotional support to ensure new parents know they aren’t alone.”
Having initially trained in orthopaedic nursing, Debbie made the decision to move to children’s nursing and completed this training in 1980.
From there she moved to Southmead Hospital in Bristol where she discovered her love for working on a neonatal ward.
She said: “I felt that I needed more intensive care experience, so moved to the neonatal unit there and completed the neonatal nursing course.
“I really loved the challenge on neonatal intensive care, building on previous children’s experience, working with families and helping in their journeys.
“Seeing sick or premature infants progressing, getting to know the families and helping them in caring for their child during a very upsetting and challenging time for them, was incredibly rewarding.
“I was encouraged to apply and got a sister’s post in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at the Royal United Hospital in Bath, in 1984. I worked there for 12 years, as a sister, having my own two children during that time.
“The unit manager was going on maternity leave and management wanted one of the sisters to cover for her four months. I felt that it would be good experience for me to apply. After all, it was just four months!
“With two young children, I took the role on part time, not an easy decision, but I was trying to balance family and work.”
In 2014 Debbie made the decision to retire. “I had made the decision to retire and knew that one of the roles the unit was lacking was a Bliss volunteer.
“I felt with my background that it would be a good thing to go into during retirement. I could use my experience in a different way to help families going through some really tough times.
“I volunteer each week, then once a month I run a family group at a children’s centre in Bath. For parents and children who have been in the NICU.
“We also do occasional fundraising events for Bliss or for NICU, like cake sales etc.
“This September we’re doing a short sponsored ‘Bliss Little Heroes’ walk with the families and children.
“I also have a private Facebook page with a couple of mums (but one in particular) who help to keep that running. There are often various questions from parents on there that I answer.
“The NHS nurses always seem pleased to see me on the unit and are frequently telling me that I help out the parents and therefore their work.
“They often ask me to see specific parents. They highlight those who are in difficulty and needing support. With the recent recognition of volunteer week I’ve had some lovely comments from mums on the Facebook group. Some have children with ongoing health problems, which we discuss in different ways in order to support them.”
Talking about some of the families that have had a special impact on Debbie’s memory, Debbie said: “Certainly some parents I recall, who have been in the neonatal unit for many weeks, have gone through all the ups and downs, which is like being on an emotional rollercoaster.
“Some in particular have said that I’ve helped to get them through. It’s really good as I get to know them, how eager they are to update me on what’s been happening, they are keen to talk about every little improvement.
“In that roller-coaster life in the NICU, we have some days when a big box of tissues are required, when parents are really struggling.
“They go through so much with their babies, it’s a bit like a bereavement in many respects. They’ve not had a pregnancy that they expected, delivery has not gone the way they thought.
“Premature delivery takes away the ‘normal’ process of having a baby. They feel guilty even though it’s not their fault, they feel a loss for what should have been, and it’s a very real feeling of loss and grief.
“The mums’ hormones play havoc with them during this time, more so than after a normal term delivery.”
Speaking of her nomination for Volunteer Of The Year, Debbie said: “I think that although health professionals do not go into that area of work to be rewarded in this way, it is so encouraging to be recognised in such a lovely way, for the work you do.
“We often hear how ‘awful’ things are in our NHS, but there are many amazing things going on with amazing staff, who consistently go above and beyond their duty.
“I find it humbling that I could be recognised in this way.”
■ To find out more about the awards or to nominate a health care professional for their outstanding work, go to the Bristol & Bath Health And Care Awards website, bhealthandcareawards.co.uk.
We often hear how ‘awful’ things are in our NHS, but there are many amazing things going on with amazing staff, who consistently go above and beyond their duty. Debbie Grant