Jo Knape
May 2018
Jo
Knape
,
RN
Paddington Ward
Northampton General Hospital NHS Trust
Northampton
United Kingdom

 

 

 

When your child is admitted to the hospital, for a parent, it is one of the most frightening and emotional things that can happen.
My gorgeous little girl, A, is only 2 years old and was admitted with pneumonia and as a result of this, her left lung collapsed.
She stayed on Paddington Ward and she received the most fantastic care from all of the doctors and nurses.
Jo Knape was on night shift during our stay and to say that when she came to do A's observations I was an emotional mess, would be an understatement.
Jo had been doing A's observations throughout the night and she asked me if I had managed any sleep to which I replied "no". She offered to make me a coffee, even though she had probably one hundred other jobs to do. I declined as I knew she was busy and her job was far too important to stop to make me a drink.
A had a bad night and was on IV antibiotics, observation and oral medication and by the morning when Jo came back in, I was in tears.
I cannot put into words how she made me feel, but she just looked at me, and then hugged me. At that moment it was exactly what I needed. She explained that I was a brilliant mum and that they were going to get A well. Jo was so caring, so human and most of all, the loveliest lady.
Jo was back on shift a few days later and went out of her way to see us and check on A.
As a parent, it was the worst week of my life seeing my little girl in a hospital bed but in the darkest hours there was a twinkle of light and that was Jo.