"Exceptional care and a high standard of nursing"

Following a bleed in his transverse colon, my husband required life saving and life changing surgery in the form of an extended right hemicolectomy with ileostomy formation in October 2024. Throughout a difficult 6 months we have both been supported by Caroline. We met prior to the abdominal surgery and have been reviewed and assessed regularly since that time.

Caroline is an experienced and expert nurse specialist. She embodies what that title means with a vast knowledge and unique insight into her chosen specialisation. Caroline's manner is down to earth, friendly, approachable but also professional and empathetic.

Since my husband's surgery we have felt supported and reassured. We feel settled knowing we have a CNS of Caroline's calibre helping us with this new change in our lives. 

At a time in the NHS when staff are repeatedly criticised and condemned by the public, we feel it is important to recognise the excellent work that is done day in and day out by professionals like Caroline. We fully realise Caroline is a member of the surgical and critical care multidisciplinary team where everyone deserves plaudits and recognition, but she has been our one constant recently and as such we wished to highlight her contribution to my husband's ongoing care and recovery.

We wanted Caroline's manager and the wider group of peers to know what an asset they have in Caroline. I know that a CNS role is demanding and difficult but also rewarding. Caroline makes her role look easy and that takes years of dedication and practice.

We are grateful for her nursing care and support and feel safe knowing she is there for us both.