Joy-bringing nurse in line for national award

A nurse from Delph who went ‘above and beyond the call of duty’ to aid a family with IVF treatment has been nominated for a national nursing award.

Sharon Bannatyne (49), a sister on the IVF unit at Manchester Fertility Services, The Bridgewater Hospital, was nominated for the Claire Raynor Patient’s Choice Award because of her passionate and caring nature, which led to one family getting the gift they had always dreamed of — a child.

But humble Sharon takes the contribution she makes to changing families’ lives in her stride, saying: “This has been my job for 21-years — I love it. I help people create their babies, which makes them so happy.

“Other nurses have to deal with so much. One finalist has to deal with cancer patients, another with sick children. They’re way more deserving of this award than me.”

Someone who would disagree is Patricia Doohan, of Whalley Range, who nominated Sharon for the award after she helped the Doohans with their one successful round of IVF.

“Had it not been for Sharon, we might not have our daughter today,” said Patricia.

“My husband, John, and I first started IVF in 1997. The years after we started treatment were a rollercoaster ride of unsuccessful fertility treatments.

“Sharon was one of the main reasons I stayed sane. She knows exactly what a patient needs — a joke, some advice, or just a hug.”

And one reason why Sharon can relate so effectively with patients is because she once suffered the same heartbreaking experience.

She said: “I know more than anyone how it feelst.

“My treatment was 21 years-ago and I still remember exactly how it felt when the results were unsuccessful.”

Sharon and her husband went on to adopt two girls, Kayleigh, now 23, and Jodie, now 25.

Perhaps Sharon’s circumstances made her go out of her way to help Patricia and her husband to start a new treatment cycle — after when doctors had called time on them.

Patricia says: “December 1999 was looking to be another childless Christmas because the clinic had a cut off point for new cycles starting, and we hadn’t managed to get an appointment in time.

“When I lbumped in to Sharon and told her she said she would try to get me an appointment with the doctor.

“We got our appointment the following week, and were cleared for treatment over Christmas.

“Sharon had no reason to accommodate us that day. She could have just sympathised with us. Instead she went above and beyond the call of duty to help us.

“It was from that cycle that we were successful, and I thank god that she did what she did.”

Patricia and John went on to have a healthy daughter and asked Sharon to be a Godparent.

“Sharon’s kindness and compassion has brought us and our families so much joy. She deserves professional recognition for everything she does.”

The award ceremony will be held at the Hilton, London, on March 22. All votes need to be in by March 15.

Vote for Sharon at www.patients-choiceawards.co.uk or www.nurseawards.rcnpublishing.co.uk