There are two people who have made a big difference in my life: Anna and her health care assistant. I am a 64-year-old male and a wheelchair patient with peripheral neuropathy in both feet and partial hand, I also have an ongoing problem with my bladder, and I have a leg catheter. ​

​The reason I want to nominate these very special people is the way they have cared for me and treated me with the utmost respect and dignity, they are both the best mental health workers I have ever had since the early 90's when my mental health problems began. When I woke up on my first Monday morning on Sapphire ward, my night drainage bag was full as was my leg bag, when they came in on that first day and told me what they were going to do I started to cry. They both stood by me and reassured me that everything was okay and they were there to help me. They made me feel that I was the only person on the ward. They treated me with the utmost respect and dignity. Each day it got a little bit easier and to them it was like water off a duck’s back, they made sure I had plenty of fluids day and night. ​


These two very special people encouraged me to take medication, to keep on trying and don't give up. These two people made time for a one to one with me. They both go above and beyond for my physical and mental health. Thank you, Anna, you are a diamond in the rough, let's hope you get a mention. Mental health matters.