Mr Richard Turner 2017-06-27 Person 5 5 0

We first met Richard in Easter 2014 when he was introduced to us as "our" Macmillan nurse at our meeting with the consultant when I was diagnosed with advanced prostate cancer.  The consultant explained how the cancer had spread outside the prostate into some of my lymph nodes and that I would receive palliative care. My wife and I were devastated and unable to absorb much of the detail as we struggled to come to terms with the news.   Afterwards as we tried to compose ourselves Richard took us into another room and calmly and very reassuringly explained the next steps, listening to our fears, answering our questions and constantly providing compassion and comfort to us both. Richard was a rock and held my wife's hand while she broke down and sobbed. We soon found out that he would always been there for both of us.    During our darkest moments over the next few weeks whilst we came to terms with how life changing this disease would mean for us both, Richard was always there for us if we needed his support, 24 hours a day, every day of the week. Richard’s empathy and compassion for us was absolute.  He seemed to know and understand just how we were feeling and exactly what we were going through and how best to support us. Because Richard attends the multi-disciplinary team meetings (MDT) where they decide on the the patients treatment Richard is always readily available to answers any questions we have had, advise us on future appointments, update us on my progress and answer questions relating to the drug trial I was on. For us Richard is very much the human face to all the medical jargon able to clearly explain the steps in my treatment and the person who you can always trust is looking out for you. Richard is the person that gave us the strength and determination to fight this disease. He is a very special person. Glenn & Julia Smithers