Tom was one of the first to put his name forward for the difficult role

Submitted by Matt Collins, Northampton General Hospital NHS Foundation Trust

Tom Blundell came in and spent some time with our response team. He enjoyed the roles within the response team but wanted to be more involved in supporting patients on the wards so went and worked on a COVID positive ward. Tom really enjoyed the role and got to know many patients and was very proactive whilst on the ward.

Tom would find out what the individuals liked and made an effort to source materials to meet their needs. He would always liaise with the office and ask if he could obtain various items for patients. Thanks to the charity that we work closely with, (Northamptonshire Health Charity Fund), Tom was able to get radios, colouring materials, crossword books, word searches and other various items to keep the patients on the ward occupied. Tom was highly praised by all the ward staff, for his selfless acts and his compassion. He has even gone and sat with difficult patients to encourage them to engage with staff, in which he was successful in doing.

Although Tom has gone above and beyond for the ward and enjoyed his time there, a new challenge opened with the Emergency Department (ED) and Tom was one of the first to put his name forward for the role. In only a few weeks within this role Tom has been given an award of excellence for how he conducts himself within ED and for his communication with all types of patients. Most recently he sat and had a chat with a patient that was escorted in by police officers. Getting that patient to engage with staff and aiding in the patient's care.

Tom really does put himself out there and challenges himself regularly. He has seen patients pass away and has used our support services to ensure he is able to cope and be the best he can be. Tom has been a role model for our service and we often receive excellent feedback from staff that have worked alongside him.