Early pregnancy nurse Claire wins DAISY Award

A nurse at Birmingham Women's Hospital has been given a DAISY Award for compassionate care after a patient described how she held her hand through miscarriage, a rare diagnosis and cancer treatment.

Claire Hollis, a Clinical Nurse Specialist in the Early Pregnancy Assessment Unit, was surprised with the award while working on the unit.

Nominated by a patient

The family who nominated her described how Claire supported them through several miscarriages, a diagnosis of molar pregnancy and the rare cancer treatment that followed. A molar pregnancy is a rare complication in which a pregnancy does not develop normally, and in some cases it can lead to a type of cancer that needs treatment.

"It was Claire who held my hand whilst I cried, not understanding how I could potentially have cancer after losing the pregnancy," the patient wrote.

"I have genuinely never met someone who has gone above and beyond."

About the DAISY Award

The DAISY Award is an international programme that recognises nurses and midwives nominated by patients, families and colleagues for extraordinary compassionate care. Winners receive a hand-carved sculpture called A Healer's Touch and a DAISY pin, and their team is treated to cinnamon rolls, a tradition of the award.

The Early Pregnancy Assessment Unit

Early pregnancy assessment units look after women and people with problems in the first months of pregnancy, such as pain or bleeding. Staff carry out scans and tests, and they often support people through the loss of a pregnancy.

Birmingham Women's Hospital in Edgbaston is one of only two specialist women's hospitals in the UK, and it cares for thousands of patients from across the city and region each year.

Where to get help

Anyone worried about pain or bleeding in early pregnancy should contact their GP, midwife or NHS 111, and call 999 in an emergency.