A hospital worker who aims to take the fear out of having emergency treatment has been nominated for a prestigious award.
Raymond Dunk, an accident and emergency support officer in Leeds, has been put forward as an unsung hero in the Yorkshire Evening Post Best of Health Awards.
He was nominated for his constant efforts to help his patients – and especially for his treatment of a seriously ill child.
His nomination form said he goes well above and beyond the expectations of his job which entails booking in patients and other duties on reception.
“Ray, however, goes out of his way to help all patients he is in contact with,” the nominator said.
“Recently, instead of redirecting an unwell child with a GP letter to the ward as per department policy, he recognised the child as acutely unwell and escorted them straight round into children’s A&E.
“This attentiveness could have saved the young child’s life.
“This is just one of a number of kind acts that have helped patients and relatives.
“As a receptionist Ray gets little praise for his actions and is an unsung hero.”
Mr Dunk, who works in both Leeds General Infirmary and St James’s Hospital, said that when very unwell patients, or parents with seriously poorly children, arrived it was important to make medics aware they might need immediate treatment.
He added: “It was clear the baby was having some breathing difficulties so I knew not to re-route them to the ward which would be the normal pathway with a letter from a GP.
“This would have caused a delay in getting seen and obviously time is of the essence when someone is clearly that unwell.
“Fortunately she was seen on arrival by the children’s emergency staff who then gave the baby the immediate care they so clearly needed.”
Mr Dunk, who has worked in A&E for six years, said he was “very surprised and touched” that he had been put forward for the award.
“You don’t ever expect any accolades for just doing your job, so I’m rather humbled.
“The A&E can be quite an intimidating environment to both patients and relatives alike so I just try and help make it less so if I can.”
The nomination is the latest in the Best of Health Awards, which are sponsored by Bradford-based Sovereign Health Care.
We still want to hear about the health workers who go the extra mile to help the patients they care for or contribute positively to their workplace.
The unsung hero category is open to anyone who works or volunteers in a health setting, whether they are medically qualified or not, and whose efforts improve services to patients.
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