Community Nurse Lily Hulme said:

“Thank you very much for this recognition award alongside Ellie, and the team. I really appreciate it and feel honoured to have been involved in this. I am grateful to work alongside such a supportive team. Thank you again everyone for your kind words.”

The nomination

The Wallingford and Wheatley District Nursing Team was nominated by their colleague Operations Manager for South East District Nurses and South Community Therapy Service Kay Woodward.

Kay commented:

“During a home visit, two of our Community Nurses, Ellie Arbuthnot and Lily Hulme, were faced with a patient who had rapidly deteriorated.

“Lily and Ellie demonstrated exceptional compassion and emotional intelligence throughout the incident. Despite the urgency of the person’s condition, they maintained a warm, reassuring presence – speaking to them calmly, preserving their dignity, and ensuring they felt supported at every stage. They showed deep care for each other, working collaboratively, checking in, and providing mutual reassurance under intense pressure.

“Safety was at the heart of their practice. They recognised early warning signs, escalated immediately, and applied life‑saving interventions swiftly and correctly. Their actions were grounded in clinical vigilance, strong situational awareness, and a commitment to protect the patient from further harm. Even under stress, they adhered to safe practice, communicated clearly, and maintained control of a rapidly changing situation. Their decision‑making ensured the scene was organised, risks were managed, and the patient received the safest possible care.

“Lily and Elle exemplify the very best of community nursing – dedicated, knowledgeable, decisive and caring. Their response not only prevented a tragic outcome but also reflects the high standards and values we strive for across the service. Their bravery, competence and commitment deserve to be recognised at the highest level.

“Alongside the actions of Ellie and Lily, the wider team demonstrated outstanding leadership, coordination and support.

“Emma Denney, District Nurse Lead, immediately mobilised herself to attend the scene, ensuring on‑site leadership and reinforcing the team during a highly pressured situation.

“District Nursing Leads Kirsty Burnett and Debbie Cameron played crucial roles in supporting the wider teams, ensuring staff on the late shift were cared for, organised, and not left to manage pressures alone. Their calm operational oversight enabled safe service delivery while the incident was ongoing.

“The response also demonstrated the strength of our cross‑locality collaboration, with colleagues from the South West and the City stepping in to offer additional support where needed. This truly was a whole‑system effort, with every contribution helping stabilise the situation and ensure the best possible outcome.”