Faye has worked for the NHS for 30 years as a paediatric nurse, health visitor, school nurse before her current role as a child death review specialist nurse. She is one of five nurses who work with bereaved parents in NHS Sussex.
She was nominated for an Elaine Thorp Award for Bereavement Care by Lisa whose baby Harry Thomas Cousins was born on 12th September 2022 and died on 16th September 2022. The cause of death was unknown but was recorded as Sudden Unexplained Early Neonatal Death.
Lisa said: “Faye has been there for us from the beginning. She listened to us, was always there to listen, and to help me find sources of support.”
On hearing she had been nominated Faye said: “Initially, I went into nursing as a 21-year-old because my mother told me it was a career that would keep me in work. She was right about always having a job, but my career has also given me the feeling that I have made a difference to others. I’ve helped people to get better in so many ways and that is a fabulous feeling.
“In all those years of front line work I have never been nominated for such an award. I have been thanked with words and cards, but to even be nominated shows me that I have done a good job and that I should be proud of what I have achieved in my career and in helping others."
The Elaine Thorp Award for Bereavement Care aims to recognise the vital work done by midwives, nurses, and other health professionals to care for parents affected by pregnancy loss or the death of their baby.
Part of Faye’s role is to guide parents through the Child Death Review Process. This multi-agency meeting allows her to feedback the parents’ thoughts, both positive and negative, about the care they and their baby received, so that health and care partners can share learning and improve services, to save babies’ lives in the future.
Faye said: “It is a privilege to work with parents at such a traumatic time in their lives. I have seen mothers who cannot get out of bed, and unable to be ‘present’ in the day. After experiencing the trauma of losing a baby, parents can also lose their life plans, their aims and what they thought life’s purpose was. The result is feeling lost, not knowing what to do or where to go from here.
“By supporting them we have worked out coping strategies to just get through each day to start with and then gradually made other changes as we go along to help make them feel emotionally stronger. It is so heart-warming to see families slowly move forwards and learn how to deal with their loss.”
Allison Cannon, Chief Nursing Officer for NHS Sussex, sums up what is undoubtedly the feelings of all at NHS Sussex: “We are all so proud and delighted for Faye. It is such a well-deserved nomination and one that recognises the very best aspects of nursing. It is a caring profession, and this award celebrates that in its truest sense. Many congratulations Faye – to be nominated for this award is a great accolade.”
Lisa said: “Faye is definitely someone who I am grateful for in my circumstances and I’d love for her to be recognised for her wonderful care.”
Find out more about the Elaine Thorp Award for Bereavement Care.