A LOCAL support worker, Douglas Reilly, has been awarded The Isabella Kimmett Compassionate Care Award after being nominated by Christine O’Rourke, Home Manager, Wallacetown Gardens, Ayr.

Douglas is a support worker at Wallacetown Gardens, which is a specialist care facility for people who have various life limiting conditions.

Christine explains: “Douglas has shown himself to be outstanding in looking after people with complex needs as individuals with their own needs. He shows the utmost respect for the diversity of each person we look after.

“He has taken a great deal of time and effort to draw people out of themselves by persevering with small things that can be overlooked. He knows that things that may seem easy and everyday to some are huge obstacles to others and has persevered with patience, compassion and understanding.

“Douglas is a perfect example of how care is not just about hands on delivery, but about showing respect, ensuring dignity, and listening.”

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

Professor Borland, commented: “I was moved to hear about how Douglas has gone above and beyond to care for people in such a compassionate and caring way.”

The Isabella Kimmett Compassionate Care Award is given three times each year and celebrates nursing, midwifery and allied health professionals, GP and care home staff who have shown compassionate care qualities in a range of different areas like: providing dignity and comfort; taking time and patience to listen; offering kindness and warmth; person-centred care; and making sure that the patient is involved in decisions and has choice.

If you know someone who deserves to be awarded for the quality of their compassionate care, you can nominate them by emailing compassionatecareaward@aapct.scot.nhs.uk and asking for a nomination form.

The NHS are happy to take nominations from patients, family members and colleagues.