Ovidiu Balic

ITU Staff Nurse – Bedford Hospital – March 2025 Honouree

Ovidiu was nominated by the family of a patient in response to his handling of that patient’s end of life care:

“A patient was admitted to Bedford hospital on a Wednesday evening and was transferred to the critical care unit early on Friday morning after a cardiac arrest. Over the next week his condition fluctuated and he was intubated (a very difficult process). He was monitored night and day, and finally passed away in the early morning of the following Thursday.

“Throughout all of this, the care and attention he received was first-rate but we must mention Ovi whose care was exemplary. From the patient’s point of view, there was a personal connection; he responded well to Ovi despite his debilitating illness, and Ovi responded in kind. While he was in the CCC, Ovi did three full shifts entirely managing his care which is why we, his family, know about this. He took great pains to make sure that we were well informed about every aspect of what was going on with our husband, father, and grandfather, explaining not just the medical details but what they meant to us and to him himself.

“He always made sure, and told us often, that we could ring at any time and he would be happy to update us, no matter how often, no matter if it was the middle of the night. He treated all of us together, both the patient and the family, as a complete unit, making sure we shared in what was going on. He could be commanding when needed and in the next breath as gentle as a lamb, just what we required. And when he finally left us, Ovi offered to take palm prints, which we didn’t even know was possible, and stayed over his shift period so that he, someone we trusted, would perform the final offices and make him ready. And he even told us that the cooked breakfast in the Swannery was one of his favourites and recommended that we have it, which we did in memory of him and in thanks of Ovi. If ever there were anyone who deserves an award, it is him.

“Thank you, Ovi, for everything.”