A Kilwinning nurse has been awarded for her compassionate care in the emergency ward.

Emergency department staff nurse Laura Welsh has been awarded the Isabella Kimmett Compassionate Care Award after being nominated by emergency medicine consultant Lisa Black.

Lisa said: “Often in the fastpaced and time-critical environment of the emergency department it can be difficult to provide the kind of compassionate care that I’m sure all nurses aspire to.

“But Laura manages to do this on every single shift and I strongly feel she should be recognised for this.

“Laura recently provided compassionate care of the highest level to a young patient who died in the Emergency Department.

“Despite finding the situation incredibly sad and undoubtedly being upset herself, Laura was able to put this aside and provide care and comfort to a young person as they lost their battle for survival.

“She then spent many hours with the patient’s family, supporting them to spend time saying goodbye in the way they needed to.”

Isabella Kimmett’s daughter, Jacqueline Thomson and Professor Hazel Borland, Nurse Director, presented Laura with the award.

Professor Borland, said: “What a touching nomination this is from a consultant in our ED. It’s with great pride that I give this award to Laura, clearly an inspirational and truly compassionate nurse.”

The Isabella Kimmett Compassionate Care Award is awarded three times each year, and celebrates nursing, midwifery and allied health professionals, GP and care home staff who have shown compassionate care qualities.

If you know someone who deserves to be awarded you can nominate them by emailing compassionatecareaward@ aapct.scot.nhs.uk and asking for a nomination form.

The next award will be presented at the Ayrshire Achieves ceremony on June 25.