Shropshire NHS awards: Julie Lock helping families cope with hardest of times

Julie Lock is there to help when a patient and their families reach a stage where treatment can no longer help.

It is difficult work, and came after a personal bereavement – but it is also incredibly rewarding and Julie says she loves volunteering her time.

The 60-year-old is a member of the Shrewsbury and Telford hospitals' Patient Experience Improvement Panel (PEIP) member and the End of Life Care Project Group. She is among five shortlisted for the People's Choice NHS VIP Awards, organised by Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital NHS Trust.

• Find out how you can vote in Saturday’s Shropshire Star.

• We will run down all five finalists and explain how to make your choice.

• Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital NHS Trust’s VIP Awards reward workers who help make a difference.

• The Shropshire Star has teamed up with the trust for the People’s Choice category.

• Finalists will be invited to an awards ceremony later this month.

Julie, from Montgomery, is a retired teacher and mother-of-one and first became involved with the PEIP two years ago.

She said: "Having worked full time in my teaching career, it is very rewarding to volunteer as I feel I can now dedicate some time to this important aspect of the hospital. Through my background in education, I feel I bring a different perspective to the hospital environment."

As part of the role she works on a number of wards across the two sites and says the staff she works with are "amazing" showing incredible dedication to their patients.

She added: "The hospital, and director of nursing Sarah Bloomfield in particular, are so supportive of the role of the panel and I have been actively encouraged to get involved with a wide range of activities."

But the main reason for Julie's nomination is her work with the end of life care project group.

She said: "This is an area of care that I really feel passionate about. The death of loved one is devastating and it is so important we get it right because we do only have one chance to ensure families have fond memories of that time.

"I became involved because when my husband David died three years ago, I felt that some of the aspects of his end of life care could have been much better. I wanted to try to ensure that all patients have the end of life they want and deserve."

Mrs Lock praised the work of Jules Lewis, who was appointed two years ago to the post of lead nurse for end of life care.

She added: "The difference she has made has been quite remarkable. I feel so privileged to be part of this group that is changing the perceptions of both staff and patients.

"There is a real buzz about the EOL work that is being done at the hospital and it has resulted in some fantastic initiatives which are really benefitting the patients and their loved ones.

"The work I am involved with in the area of EOL is so important to me and my family. I know David would be so proud of what I am doing and that I have been nominated for this award."

She said: "Over the past 18 months I have dedicated as much time as I can to end of life care, as well as the other things I do.

"And I can see so much success coming out of it, the changes over the past two years have been amazing."

David Burrows, a spokesman for the hospitals trust, said: "Julie has turned an extremely sad time in her life around by working hard to improve end of life care throughout the hospital by helping others at their time of greatest need.

"She is passionate and positive about this important work and truly believes in the one chance to get it right for every patient every time, she is truly fabulous.

"Her work within the end of life care project group is invaluable and her passion and commitment to the Trust to make a difference is inspirational."