A Scots nurse has received a prestigious award for saving the life of a critically ill mum.
Lucy Wilson was presented with a DAISY award, which celebrates the crucial work nurses and midwives do.
She was nominated for the accolade by the family of a Northern Irish woman who became seriously ill with sepsis while on holiday in Scotland, reports Aberdeen Live.
The patient was admitted to Aberdeen Royal Infirmary, where Lucy works in the hospital’s Intensive Care Unit.
Aberdeen Live reports that despite undergoing two surgeries, Lucy pushed for a further scan to be carried out after listening to the concerns of the woman’s family.
It found that the woman needed a third surgery, which ultimately saved her life.
The woman’s daughter said: “If that hadn’t happened, we feel we would be without our mum today, and we are forever grateful to Lucy.
“Mum is the glue that holds our family together and she ended up enduring three major surgeries in just ten days.
“We were terrified she wouldn’t survive.
“We were desperately willing her to survive each of the many complications she faced.
“It was extremely traumatic for our family, especially being so far away from home.”
And the family said it wasn’t just Lucy’s clinical expertise that made a difference.
She became a pillar of emotional support, checking in on the family, reassuring them and even visiting their mum during her breaks once she moved to the general surgery ward.
The daughter, who considered giving up her nursing degree course after the trauma of almost losing her mother, added: “I remember feeling so scared. I thought my world was ending and truly believed I couldn’t go on in my degree.
“But watching Lucy care for my mum changed everything. She inspired me to continue.
“She fully worked with us as an advocate for mum and our family. I will never forget her and the profound impact she had on us.”
Delighted Lucy said she was “overwhelmed” to receive the DAISY award, adding: “I never expected to be nominated, let alone win.
“I’m just doing my job, doing what I love.”
NHS Grampian Chief Nurse Denise Johnson also praised Lucy, saying: “This family’s story reminds us why we do what we do. It is a privilege to support people through the most challenging times.”
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