September 14, 2015

Values Awards: We’re brave enough to take risks

 We received more than one nomination for this employee this year regarding the support they provided to one of our Supported Living service users.

Winner: Natalie Desilva

Natalie Desilva has worked for PSS for 9 ½ years. Natalie initially worked for our Newby House service as a Resource Worker and then went on to become a Support Worker with our Supported Living service.

B is supported within their own home where they live with their parents. B has an acquired brain injury as a result of an accident and currently requires two to one support 24 hours per day, 7 days per week. As an individual with complex needs, this means B has limited capacity and is unable to communicate their wishes or when they are in pain or discomfort. Natalie has worked with B for several years and has built up an understanding of their needs and how they express themselves.

By the very nature of the service the family takes a keen and close interest in B’s care. When the parents are away, the team continues to care for B within the home and are accountable to B’s sister.

In December last year, B became very unwell. On this particular occasion, it was Natalie who was supporting B and she was concerned about their health as they were having difficulty breathing. She called the sister who asked Natalie to keep an eye on how B was presenting and suggested taking B to the doctor’s the following day.

Natalie intended to do just that but as time went on she became increasingly concerned. However, going to the Doctors immediately would have meant going beyond what she had agreed with B’s sister.

Natalie noticed that their breathing was not getting any better. In the end she decided to go with her gut feeling, take the brave option and called an ambulance for B and informed their family afterwards. When B was in hospital, it transpired that they had a serious infection. The staff at the hospital said that if Natalie had not acted quickly like she had and alerted for an ambulance then B may have died.

Whilst in hospital the doctors thought the worst for B and did not expect them to pull through. Thankfully after a long stay in hospital, B was discharged and has been much better since. Natalie’s quick actions from her understanding of B’s needs and what is normal for them meant that they got the medical attention they needed and quickly – something the family are extremely grateful for. If it had been someone else on shift who was not as experienced, things may have been very different for this individual.

Natalie shows excellent values all year round being very person centred, thinking about the needs, wants and aspirations of the people she supports.

As a panel, all were in agreement that this was a clear winning example of an individual who has demonstrated bravery within her role. Knowing one person’s actions could have literally saved another person’s life is truly amazing.