Heroic nurse lands award for 'outstanding' care provided in Edinburgh hospital

A student nurse from East Lothian has won a prestigious award for her outstanding work during the health pandemic.

Nursing student Joanna MacDonald impressed judges with her compassionate approach to healthcare.

Haddington based Joanna MacDonald completed her nursing training at accident and emergency during the height of the health crisis.

Thrown in the deep end the 32-year-old balanced her front line work with caring for her two young children Poppy, nine and Flora, five.

In recognition for her ‘outstanding’ service the dedicated healthcare worker has been awarded the Simon Pullin Award for 2020 by Edinburgh Napier University.

Award-winning nurse Joanna MacDonald with daughters Poppy, nine and Flora, five.

The newly qualified nurse impressed judges with the passion and compassion she showed towards patients during her training with the university.

Her ability to provide compassionate and high quality care regardless of the clinical situation or workload pressures won the favour of the award panel.

During the challenging months that hospital wards were completely closed to family and friends Ms MacDonald acted as a pillar of emotional support for lonely and scared patients.

Ms MacDonald said: “My compassionate caring skills were vital in a period when families and carers were not allowed into the department.

“On numerous occasions it was my gloved hand these patients were holding and not their families whilst they were seriously unwell or dying.”

Throughout the first lockdown Ms MacDonald worked with patients who were having pregnancies terminated or treatment for cancer. She also helped in other departments where people were receiving end-of-life care.

Joanna said: “Ensuring that each of the patients in my care had a dignified and comfortable death was important to me.

“I always made time for the small things such as ensuring the elderly men would have a shave and be in matching pyjamas or clothes for the morning visiting. Or that the elderly ladies had their hair combed the way they liked it and a spritz of perfume too.”

Having finished her studies this week Ms MacDonald has begun working as a staff nurse at Edinburgh Royal Infirmary and said she was honoured to be starting her career as an award-winner.

She said: “Care and compassion are important aspects of the NHS values and something I am always mindful of upholding with the patients in my care. Reflecting on my journey in gaining these skills was a proud moment too to see how far I have come in the past few years.”

Ms MacDonald’s Personal Development Tutor at the University Dr Alison Wood said: “Despite all the challenges due to Covid-19, Joanna has maintained her focus on patient-centred and compassionate care – I am delighted she has secured her first qualified staff nurse post and will be able to continue to provide compassionate care in her new role.”

Senior lecturer at the university and Honorary Nurse Consultant in Compassionate Care with NHS Lothian Dr Stephen Smith said: “Joanna received exceptional feedback from staff in clinical practice and staff in the university. All the feedback pointed to core learning and development in the provision of compassionate care, very particularly knowing that it is the seemingly small things that matter to each individual.”

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