We had a patient admitted to our unit with end-stage, critical heart failure. This gentleman was entering the final phase of his illness, and the plan of care was for him to be transferred to a palliative care support bed in Louth County Hospital, where he would receive end-of-life care. However, he had one very simple but meaningful wish – to spend one more night in his own home, surrounded by his family and friends. He wanted to share precious time with them, enjoy a Bacardi, and even order a Chinese takeaway. It was a small request, but one that meant the world to him.

Plans were carefully put in place to make this possible. The arrangement was for him to return home for one night and then be admitted to Louth County Hospital the following morning. A palliative care nurse would meet him at his home at 7 p.m., and a night nurse would take over at 11 p.m. There was a great deal of coordination happening behind the scenes between the hospital team and the patient’s family. Although the situation was filled with sadness and heartbreak, there was also a sense of joy and comfort in knowing that his final wish would be granted.

Just hours before discharge, we received unexpected news that no nurse would be available to cover the period between 7 p.m. and 11 p.m.Without hesitation, Nurse Oonagh volunteered to go to the patient’s home and stay with him until the night nurse arrived. She did this purely out of kindness and genuine compassion for the patient and his family. It was a Friday evening, and she had already completed a full working week here in OLOL, yet she immediately put the patient first and gave up her own personal time to ensure his wish could still be fulfilled.

Another encounter I shared with this colleague further demonstrated her extraordinary compassion and dedication. We had a patient with a known cancer diagnosis admitted to the ward. He had previously been given a life expectancy of five years, but he suddenly suffered a catastrophic bleed, and his condition deteriorated very rapidly. This gentleman was just 55 years old and had a wife and two children, aged 14 and 15. When his children arrived at the hospital and saw the severity of their father’s condition, they became overwhelmed with shock and grief. They were hysterical, sobbing and crying in the corridor, struggling to process what was happening.
Although this gentleman was not known to her service, I reached out to Oonagh for support. Without hesitation, she came immediately. She offered support to the patient’s two children and his wife, who was not only facing the imminent loss of her husband but was also heartbroken watching her children experience such profound distress.
Her gentle, calm, and compassionate manner brought comfort not only to this devastated family but also to me. In an incredibly emotional and overwhelming moment, her presence helped create a space of care, empathy, and support when it was needed most.

I have been nursing for over 20 years and have had the privilege of working alongside many outstanding nurses. I truly believe this nurse deserves special recognition. She consistently goes above and beyond, showing genuine compassion not only to patients and their families but also to her colleagues. Her kindness, professionalism, and humanity are truly humbling. We are incredibly fortunate to have such an invaluable member of our nursing team here in OLOL.