Published on: 12th September 2018
Amy Semper, a local mental health nurse from Lincoln, was recognised as one of only five finalists in this year’s Daily Mail Health Hero Awards.
Amy is a Ward Manager at Lincolnshire Partnership NHS Foundation Trust’s (LPFT) Francis Willis Unit, a low secure inpatient mental health ward based at Lincoln County Hospital. She was nominated for the award for her continuous dedication to patients and passion for her job; described by colleagues as ‘never wanting to go home’.
Earlier this year when Lincolnshire was badly hit by snow and many people couldn’t drive in to work, Amy got her walking boots on and trudged eight miles to the hospital, worked a 24 hour shift to cover other staff who had been unable to get into work, and walked eight miles home again. She wanted to ensure that patients on the ward continued to receive the care they deserved even in exceptional circumstances.
Jocelyne White, Amy’s manager said:
“If she had wanted to, it would have been quite acceptable to say “there’s no chance I can get in”. But she phoned me as she was walking to say she was going to be a bit late. It’s typical Amy. When she got here, she just got straight on with it.”
This is just one example of how Amy regularly goes above and beyond for her patients.
A patient that Amy once cared for said:
"Amy has changed my life. She got loads of different people and services involved to help me. She is fair and kind-hearted. Even if you don’t like what she says, you know she is doing the best for you."
Amy was nominated by several colleagues, including Dr Jaspreet Phull, Consultant Forensic Psychiatrist at the Francis Willis Unit, who praised Amy for her caring and honest approach to nursing. He said:
“The fact that she takes time to get to know the patients has a big impact on their care; it means she can help diffuse sometimes difficult situations.”
The Daily Mail Health Hero Awards is an annual campaign to recognise unsung health heroes. The five finalists received an all-expenses-paid trip to the Health Hero Awards gala in London which took place on Monday 10 September and the overall winner received a £5,000 holiday.
The Prime Minister Theresa May also attended the evening and thanked not only the finalists, but all NHS staff for all they do for our nation.