Children's Hospital nurse wins DAISY Award for helping a family celebrate their baby's first Eid

A paediatric intensive care nurse at Birmingham Children's Hospital has won a DAISY Award after helping a family celebrate their first Eid as parents at their baby's bedside. Hannah Wright was nominated by the grateful parents, who said she gave them "a precious memory of joy and normality" at the hardest time of their lives, Birmingham Women's and Children's NHS Foundation Trust reports.

A first Eid in intensive care

The family's baby boy was recovering from surgery in the paediatric intensive care unit when Eid arrived. "It was our first Eid as parents, but instead of celebrating at home, we were spending it beside our baby's hospital bed surrounded by monitors and machines," they wrote in their nomination.

They had brought a special Eid outfit for him, hoping at least to take some photographs. "Because of all the medical equipment, we knew we couldn't safely dress him ourselves, so we were simply holding the clothes next to him while taking pictures."

Hannah noticed. "She immediately understood how important that moment was to us," the family wrote. "Without hesitation, she went out of her way to help us carefully and safely dress him in his outfit for a short time so we could take proper photographs."

"To us it meant everything"

"To some people, this may have seemed like a small gesture, but to us it meant everything," the nomination continued. "She saw us not just as anxious parents in intensive care, but as a family trying to celebrate an important moment together despite incredibly challenging circumstances."

"Hannah's kindness, empathy and willingness to go beyond her clinical duties is something we will never forget. She reminded us that compassionate nursing care is not only about treating patients, but also about caring for families and preserving moments of dignity, love and humanity during the hardest days."

Hannah was surprised with the award while at work, and was presented with the "Healer's Touch" statue, a DAISY pin and cinnamon rolls for her team.

About the DAISY Award

The DAISY Award is an international programme that recognises nurses and midwives for the care they give to patients and families. Nominations usually come from patients, relatives and colleagues, and describe a specific moment when a nurse made a difference. Many hospitals present the award as a surprise on the ward, with the traditional cinnamon rolls shared among the team.

It celebrates exactly the kind of care Hannah showed: not a dramatic medical breakthrough, but the attention to a family's needs that turns a frightening experience into something they can look back on with a little warmth.

Care that reaches the whole family

Paediatric intensive care nurses look after the sickest children in the region, often for long periods, and their work involves the whole family as much as the patient. Birmingham Children's Hospital cares for children from across the Midlands and beyond, including those who need specialist surgery and intensive care.

For the family who nominated Hannah, the photographs of their son in his Eid outfit will be a reminder not only of a difficult time, but of the kindness they found in the middle of it.