"Armadale health service ICU"

I was discharged from Armadale health Campus today 19th December 2025 after an 11-day hospital admission, including a week on a ventilator in ICU. I am writing to formally recognise and commend an ICU nurse who provided truly exceptional care during one of the most frightening and vulnerable periods of my life. Unfortunately due to being on Heavy medications I am unable to remember his name I think it may have been Scott. I'm sure if records are checked finding his name shouldn't be difficult.

This nurse cared for me for three consecutive days in ICU and remained constantly present, attentive, and compassionate. All I had to do was look at him and he would immediately get up to check on me. He went far beyond clinical duties & he also cleaned me, repositioned me, plumped my pillows, and ensured that none of the tubes or lines attached to me were pulling or causing discomfort whenever I moved & gave medication to help me be less nauseous and anxious. Because of his care, I was noticeably more comfortable and significantly less anxious for those three days.

He took the time to talk to me, sharing parts of his own story and allowing me to feel human rather than just a patient attached to machines. While I was coming off heavy medications, I experienced confusion and distress about things I thought I was seeing or hearing. He patiently answered my questions, gently confirming or clarifying what was real without ever making me feel foolish, dismissed, or “crazy.” This alone reduced my anxiety more than I can adequately express.

ICU is an incredibly confronting environment. I witnessed firsthand the trauma, pain, and loss that lives there, including hearing a family wailing after losing their loved one. That could very easily have been my family. Somehow, through the skill, dedication, and humanity of ICU staff armed with medication, tubing, suction, and relentless vigilance, I was brought back from the brink more than once. This nurse played a massive role in that journey.

One night, during the end of his dinner break, he appeared in the X-ray department while I was struggling significantly. Without hesitation, he took charge, ensured the X-ray was completed safely, and personally walked back with the patient care assistants to return me to ICU, settling me back into my bed and bay. That experience was traumatic for me, and once again, his presence and leadership quite literally saved the day.

I dreaded nurse changeovers, not because other staff were bad or wrong, but because I knew the calibre and style of care would be different. This nurse has compassion levels of a saint and the patience to match. He took his breaks appropriately and returned grounded, focused, and present. During my admission, he also received multiple gifts as part of the hospital’s “12 Days of Christmas” initiative, which speaks volumes about how he is regarded by patients and colleagues alike.

I genuinely believe this nurse should be nominated for ICU Nurse of the Year or Nurse of the Year if such awards exist. His professionalism, empathy, calm authority, and unwavering compassion had a profound impact on my recovery. Without his encouragement and care, I could very easily have given up.

Please ensure this feedback reaches ICU leadership and is placed on his record. Nurses like him are the reason patients survive not only physically, but emotionally.

With sincere gratitude,

ContentCapybara

Former ICU Patient