NHS Hero nominee – Naser Rashid
NHS Hero nominee – Naser Rashid
Naser Rashid is still an undergraduate student at Staffordshire University but he’s already made a big impact at the University Hospitals of North Midlands.
Policies are being changed at the hospital trust after third-year Operating Department Practice student Naser did a placement at Stafford County Hospital.
The 27-year-old, from Longton, worked with the trust’s ethics committee around religious compliance and it is hoped his recommendations will have long-lasting benefits for people from different religious backgrounds.
Sister Sarah Bentley from Stafford County Hospital said: “I have worked with Naser on his placement. He has done significant work with the ethics committee around religious compliance and he has achieved very high recognition within the trust.
“His work has changed trust policies and will have a long-lasting benefit for different religions undergoing treatment in our trust. The trust is now appointing an Imam Scholar to guide policy.”
Rebecca Wright, Naser’s course leader at Staffordshire University, has nominated him as an NHS Hero in the Your Heroes Awards.
She said: “Naser is an excellent student who puts his all into his work and actively participates in student recruitment and teaching opportunities.
“I recently received an email from a senior sister at a local NHS trust wanting to nominate Naser for an award and felt this would be a great place to showcase Naser and the work he has achieved.
“This is a testament to Naser and his hard work. The ODP team, educators and Staffordshire University are very proud of his achievements and his excellent attitude and commitment towards his patients, peers and academic work. Well done Naser!”
Naser’s work with the trust included consent around medicines containing animal products.
The trust is now set to appoint a clinical pharmacist to create a detailed log of medicines and their ingredients if they contain animal derived products. There will be leaflets and a specific person that patients can speak to for religious advice about medical procedures.
There will also be mandatory training so that health professionals are aware of medicines and treatments that involve animal biproducts and alternatives that might be available.
Naser said: “I’m shocked. It feels amazing to be nominated for a Your Heroes Award. It feels like my work has been recognised on a bigger scale than I had anticipated.”