They’re simply the best (From Thisisdorset)

They’re simply the best

11:34am Saturday 5th July 2008

• Print
• Email
• Share

HAPPY birthday to the NHS! Today is the official diamond anniversary of our national health service.

Sixty years ago today, health minister Aneurin Bevan established the much-loved organisation.

Before the NHS was set up healthcare was provided on a piecemeal basis with many people having to pay directly for services and others not receiving the care they needed.

Since then, the health service has been constantly evolving. This week we have been asking readers to nominate some of the special people who help keep our NHS running.

Comfort amid tragedy

IMAGINE having to comfort a five-year-old boy whose father and sister have just been killed.

That was the heart-breaking situation faced by paramedic Wayne Ingram when he was called to a horrific road crash 18 months ago.

Now colleagues have praised his actions and commitment as a diamond NHS worker.

The crash happened on the A35 at Bere Regis in November 2006.

Mike Thompson, 40, was pronounced dead at the scene and his three-year-old daughter Erin died later at Dorset County Hospital.

Four-year-old Jack escaped injury in the crash and was met by Mr Ingram.

Mr Ingram said: "It has been the hardest job I have ever had to deal with."

"I introduced myself to him and he gave me a cuddle.

"He needed to be assessed at hospital so I rode in the back of an ambulance with him still cuddling me for the duration of the journey."

The boy was assessed and taken to the hospital's Kingfisher ward where Mr Ingram remained with him until his mother and stepfather arrived.

Mr Ingram said: "The fatality and young girl was a horrific experience for all those concerned but in some respects I wish I could have dealt with that then continued with my emergency shift.

"But my help was needed with the boy.

"I had seen what had happened to his dad and sister but had to put a brave face and give caring and emotional support to the boy, play games and read stories.

"As an ambulance service we are not only excellent at delivering emergency medical care but I have also seen many colleagues give second-to-none emotional support where needed."

Mr Ingram has also undertaken charity work. In 2003 he began a fundraising campaign for four-year-old Stefan Savic, who he met while serving with the army in Bosnia.

Stefan suffered with a rare facial deformity and Mr Ingram decided to arrange treatment for the boy at Great Ormond Street Hospital.

With support from people and businesses across Weymouth and Dorchester, Mr Ingram raised £85,000. It enabled the boy to travel for several operations and check-ups that may have saved his life. The boy remains in touch with Mr Ingram today.

South Western Ambulance Service chief executive Ken Wenman said: "This demonstrates the commitment, dedication and professionalism of our staff.

"Many of our personnel, as Wayne's story clearly shows, work above and beyond the call of duty in providing the highest levels of patient care possible.

"Wayne is a credit to our trust and I would like to thank him for sharing his experiences."

A diamond worker

A WARD sister has been nominated as a 'diamond' NHS worker by her colleagues.

Senior sister Lyn Dyer has worked at Westhaven Hospital in Radipole Lane, Weymouth, for 40 years.

She is based in The Evergreen Unit, a ward that cares for elderly people.

Colleagues Sharon Worsnop and Jan Southeran paid tribute to Mrs Dyer's commitment on behalf of all the hospital staff.

Miss Worsnop, a community care officer for Dorset social services, said: "Lyn has given a lot to the NHS over the years.

"She is very cheerful, very willing and always goes beyond the call of duty to help others.

"She is always there to listen and is always helpful.

"I have only worked with her for a year but I think she is lovely to work with. She is very approachable and has a wicked sense of humour. She will sit and listen and has all the time in the world for her patients.

"She respects their dignity and runs a really good team on the ward."

Mrs Dyer, 59, is a grandmother and lives in Chickerell, Weymouth.

Miss Worsnop said: "She is very fair to her staff and they always speak very highly of her.

"If staff go off sick she will come in and cover their shifts and if anyone has any problems she's always there.

"A lot of nurses on Evergreen have been in the NHS for a lot of years. They are a very dedicated and cheerful, willing team."

Mrs Dyer said she was shocked to be nominated as an NHS diamond.

She said: "I am quite shocked to say the least.

"I absolutely love my job.

"Elderly care and nursing is wonderful.

"The patients are so grateful for what you do and they have wonderful stories to tell of their life.

"You become very attached to them and they almost leave you as friends."

Mrs Dyer said she would continue working at the hospital after retirement.

She said: "I always thought when it came to retirement I would be really pleased.

"But when the time comes you find it very difficult to let go. You just want to keep doing a bit more."

• Print
• Email
• Share