Natalie Taylor was presented with an Outstanding Contribution to Living Our Values Award on World Cancer Day (04.02.26) in a surprise ceremony with The Queen Elizabeth Hospital’s Medical Director, Dr Rebecca Martin.
The monthly award is a way for members of Team QEH to be recognised, especially by patients and their loved ones, when they go above and beyond their duties.
Natalie’s nomination, which came from the parent of one of her patients, describes her as a “beautiful soul who has always made sure that my son is getting the best care and the correct support required with his condition.” Natalie’s nomination also praised her for the support, care and knowledge she has shown throughout the young patient’s journey.
Natalie’s nomination from the parent of a patient reads:
“I am nominating Nurse Natalie Taylor, for all she has done to support my son and our family through an extremely difficult time of our lives. He was diagnosed with Severe Aplastic Anaemia in April which is ultimately bone marrow failure and is a life-threatening condition. He required dressing changes, transfusions and he is currently in hospital (Addenbrookes) where he has had chemotherapy and today a stem cell transplant.
“Natalie came into our lives earlier in the year, she is my son’s community nurse and support while under QE hospital’s care. Natalie is such a beautiful soul, who has always made sure that my son is getting the best care and the correct support required with his condition. My son has so much trust in Natalie, which is amazing! He always enjoys seeing Natalie and instantly feels at ease if Natalie is in the room with him.
“She has gone above and beyond in supporting me and my partner through this whole process of getting my son better again. Natalie was there to support me with filling in any forms that I needed help with, as well as making sure my son has enough supplies for all his Hickman line dressing changes and ensuring that he always had enough medication at home so we never run out. My son is 7 years old and has autism, he struggles with new people and new situations, but with Natalie he is instantly at ease and relaxed and will open up to Natalie about anything.
“He was scared of seeing the red blood for his transfusions, Natalie made him his own Minecraft inspired pillowcase to hide the blood bag, she done this in her own time to help him feel more at ease and comfortable having red blood transfusions.
“I just want to say the biggest thank you to Natalie!!! She is an absolute superhero – as they say – not all superheroes were capes! Nurses like Natalie should definitely get the recognition that they deserve! Thank you Natalie!”
Natalie said: “It was a surprise, I know the mum who submitted the nomination and she joked she was going to submit one every month as a thank you for the care I give her son, but I don’t see it as doing anything special. I just see it as doing my job and doing what all of the families that are going through, either a cancer journey or a haematology journey, deserve. I think I treat my patients how I’d want my child to be treated in that situation.
“I’d just like to say thank you so much for nominating me. It’s been a pleasure to be on your care journey with you.”
Dr Rebecca Martin, Medical Director said: “It was a beautiful nomination and very well deserved, congratulations Natalie.”
The Living our Values Awards celebrate clinical or non-clinical roles. If you know somebody working at the Trust who demonstrates our values of Kindness, Wellness and Fairness in their actions please do nominate them a ‘Living Our Values’ awards here.
The monthly Living Our Values award is part of The QEH’s reward and recognition programme and is funded by The QEHKL Charity.
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