Louisa Wylie

Louisa Wylie, Riverbank Ward Nurse, Bedford Hospital

“Our world was turned upside down when our daughter Isla was admitted to hospital two months ago with severely low platelets and was exceptionally poorly. Not knowing whether her condition was being caused by an autoimmune attack or by something far more severe such as malignancy, our whole family was exceptionally anxious and stressed. Isla was very scared, and very poorly and stuck on bed rest to ensure she would not injure herself as she was at a risk of internal haemorrhaging if she did. Louisa was our nurse on the ward for most of her stay. During this time, when emotions and feelings were running rampant for us all, and we were all struggling to find answers while doctors communicated back and forth with another hospital and constantly ran new tests, the most stability we could find was with Louisa and her exceptional care and support.

“Louisa was a consistent and empathetic face in the chaos. She took the time to explain things to us over and over when we were too exhausted to absorb everything, answered all of our questions and when things were too much and I found myself crying in the ward hallway, she stayed later than her shift to chat to me, offer help, and literally was a shoulder to cry on. Beyond her literal care of Isla, she was able to care for our whole family while also keeping on top of the rest of the ward. She made Isla laugh, she pushed when the doctors were delayed and she advocated for us in ways I have never experienced with a nurse. We have been in for regular appointments for ever since discharge and Louisa is still always a friendly face who somehow seems to recognise all of her patients even months later, and always has a smile for Isla despite how tiring or difficult it can be to work in a ward as busy as she does.”