Hospital award for 'amazing' care of autistic woman
An intensive care unit has received an internationally recognised award after being nominated by a patient.
Kirstie Pope, 31, is autistic and said Kettering General Hospital deserved a Daisy Team Award for the care she received.
The scheme recognises medical staff worldwide who "go above and beyond the traditional role of nursing".
Ms Pope, from Wellingborough in Northamptonshire, said she woke from treatment to find she had her ear defenders on and her cuddly guinea pig by her side - which helped her overcome her fears.
She said she was "normally very scared of hospitals" and would "do anything I can to avoid going to one".
Ms Pope did not remember arriving at the intensive care unit (ICU) in August 2024 but woke to find the specific measures had been made to help her feel comfortable.
"That's amazing," she said. "It helped a lot, because I was so scared, confused and overwhelmed when I woke up.
"I also found that someone had put my hair in a plait at some point to stop it getting matted or in the way. That was kind of them."
Ms Pope added that many staff had "clearly read" her Autism Hospital Passport, a document designed to help people understand her needs.
Ms Pope explained that she normally hated the ward round in hospitals as she felt she could not understand what doctors were telling her and they did not seem to be listening to her.
At Kettering, however, "all of the doctors in ICU were fantastic. The junior doctors were lovely as well.
"Everyone treated me with so much care and compassion."
Some staff even brought photographs of their pets for Ms Pope to look at.
She named 12 individual members of staff who were particularly helpful.
ICU matron Jo Snow said: "We were all very touched by her nomination and the way she didn't forget anyone who had helped her and recognised all of the efforts that had been made to support her.
"Thank you Kirstie for bringing so much happiness and recognition for the team that looked after you."
Daisy Awards were launched in America in 1999 following the death of a patient who had received outstanding care for diseases attacking the immune system, (Daisy).
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