A Glasgow nurse is being hailed as 'amazing' for her incredible care of families across the region.
Yvonne Millerick, 54, from Cumbernauld was one of the UK’s first dedicated heart failure nurses in the UK and the first to be employed within Glasgow’s Royal Infirmary. She currently works with patients, their families and a wide range of professionals as a heart failure palliative care nurse consultant lecturer, providing support when many are at their most vulnerable.
One of those that Yvonne cares for is Mary Stuart, 88, who suffers from heart failure.
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Mary's son, John Stuart, said: “Yvonne is amazing. She is compassionate, caring and very knowledgeable about all aspects of care relating to patients with heart failure. She has always been there for us as a family and nothing is every too much trouble of off limits.
“She frequently visits mum at home to ensure her condition is effectively managed, as well as offering psychological support to mum, dad and the wider family. We can call her any time if there are changes, including out of hours and when she is off duty.
"The care Yvonne provides is truly personalised and holistic and has included working with other agencies to help with home adaptations, financial support and respite care. This has allowed mum to remain at home surrounded by her loved ones.”
Because of the excellent care Mary and her family receive from Yvonne, John nominated Yvonne for a national award. The award category is the only one which the public can vote for and John has urged the people of Glasgow and beyond to get behind Yvonne.
He added: “I hope Glasgow can get behind Yvonne. Along with the Glasgow Heart Failure Team, they provide a great service, and in recognition of this , I really hope we get behind them and vote for Yvonne.”
Yvonne, who has devoted 37 years to caring for patients like Mary, is thrilled.
Yvonne said: “I’m absolutely delighted, it means so much to me to be nominated by a patient and their family. Thank you to the Stuart family for nominating me.
“I think when people consider palliative care, they think about the loss of all hope; my approach is always to encourage patients and families to live as well as they can and to remember that there is always something we can do to help them to live well.
“We do see patients and families at their most vulnerable due to the impact and uncertainty of the illness on all of them and for me it’s about engaging in meaningful what matters conversations from the minute you meet them through to bereavement. I absolutely empathise with the situation that they are in – I often reflect on what must it be like to be in their shoes and I hope they know I am always there for them regardless.”
You can vote for Yvonne by clicking here.
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