NHS Hero nominee – Richard McLeod

NHS Hero nominee – Richard McLeod

Dementia Liaison Nurse Richard McLeod has made it his mission to put a smile on the faces of his colleagues and patients.

The 45-year-old, from Stafford, has been called ‘an outstanding colleague’ by the team he works alongside at Stafford County Hospital.

They say he will even stay after his shifts have ended to try to lighten the load for others.

Nominating Richard as an NHS Hero in the Your Heroes Awards, colleague Emily Cox said: “I am nominating Richard for being an outstanding colleague and always supporting all members of staff on the wards at Stafford County Hospital.

“Every day that Richard attends the wards, he provides advice to support with the care of the patients who have a known diagnosis of dementia and will always bring a smile to the faces of each person he sees.

“When the staff on the ward have been facing challenging experiences, Richard has offered to stay overtime to assist with taking care of the patients who may have additional needs which lightens the workload for the ward staff, especially through shift changes.

“This has meant that he has sacrificed, on occasions, taking his son to football in the evenings in order to stay behind at work.”

Richard, who has worked at the hospital for five years, said it’s a nice feeling to be nominated for a Your Heroes Award but that he feels other people are more deserving.

He said: “Trying to put a smile on other people’s faces has been my approach since day one as a nurse. It’s just my character to try and brighten other people’s working life.

“I see what some of the staff on wards go through, dealing with death on a daily basis. It must be hard for them. I just try to lift their spirits.”