In September 2014, I packed my car to the brim, boarded a ferry from Belfast to Liverpool and drove to Nottingham to begin my career as a pharmacist at NUH NHS Trust.

From day 1, I have been involved in and witnessed the heartfelt care that goes into every step of a patient's journey. The practitioners that work long sleep-deprived nights, chasing the bleep from bed to bed. The sweat-soaked sheets of being a nervous pharmacist on call, answering queries in the middle of the night; an anxious nurse on the other end of the phone. The healthcare assistants, walking thousands of steps a day, attending to patients needs.

I've also experienced fragile nerves, people pushed to the limit, bloodshot eyes, the feeling of having much to do but not enough resources to complete the job well.

It is in those moments that the thanks of a patient or the squeeze of a hand that signals an appreciation of care that makes it all worth it. The feeling of team-bonding as you all get through another busy shift together. 

I believe that with more demands made of this incredible service, money is something that could help in providing support in the form of more staff, equipment and facilities to make our NHS better for both patients and those who work here. 

On 28th September, I will be putting on my Nottingham University Hospitals running vest to mark 5 years in representing one of the busiest and hard-working Trusts in the UK. Even though I am running alone, I will be encouraged by the support that comes with your donations; knowing that they will be used for a great purpose. 

Thank you for sharing this journey with me!

Best wishes,

Louise

A wee note of the finer details:

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