Celebrating the charity’s inspirational nurses on International Nurses Day 12 May 2023 On International Nurses Day (12 May), Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland is celebrating the inspiring nurses who help people across Scotland rebuild their lives when they return home from hospital and live their lives to the full. One of the charity’s wonderful nurses is Katie Lambert, 48, a stroke nurse covering East Lothian and East Edinburgh. A nurse for 23 years, Katie was inspired to specialise in stroke care after a placement in the stroke rehabilitation unit at Edinburgh’s Astley Ainslie Hospital during her training. Her first staff nurse job came in the Acute Stroke Unit at the Western General Hospital, and it was there she came across Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland for the first time through the organisation’s patient information leaflets. Then the organisation began stroke training modules. I am passionate about trying to ensure all my patients feel like they have been listened to in a respectful and caring manner. It’s so important to treat everyone in the way I would want for myself or a family member in the same situation. Katie said: “When I heard CHSS were considering launching a stroke nurse service in the future, I decided there and then I wanted the job. I worked very hard to ensure I had the skills and experience to apply when the opportunity arose.” Having joined CHSS in 2004, Katie took a break in 2011 to help her husband launch a new business. But when a vacancy arose for a stroke nurse again in 2018, she couldn’t resist returning to her dream job. She said: “This job gives me a real sense of satisfaction, knowing I might have made a difference to how someone is managing to cope with the changes a stroke has brought to their lives. “Stroke is such a sudden and potentially devastating event that being able to offer guidance and reassurance to people is such a privilege. “Patients often say to me they feel less worried after our consultations, and they understand more about what has happened to them. This is always lovely to hear. “What I love most about nursing is the uniqueness of each situation and each person. I always enjoy hearing people’s stories and learning what’s important to them in their recovery. “And I like being able to share my knowledge of stroke with people and give them the information and support they need. “I am passionate about trying to ensure all my patients feel like they have been listened to in a respectful and caring manner. It’s so important to treat everyone in the way I would want for myself or a family member in the same situation. “But I couldn’t do any of the work I do without the support of my colleagues in the Lothian stroke nurse team. They are all amazing people, and we have a very close relationship that helps us all cope with the challenges of the job and with everything else going on in our busy lives.” Paying tribute to Katie and to all nurses on International Nurses Day is Alastair Scott who had a stroke in August 2022. After leaving hospital, Alastair was supported by Katie in his recovery. The practical, emotional and physical help I have received has and will make a profound difference to my recovery. He said: “The nursing care I have received has been second to none. In hospital the many people who gave help in so many ways, specialists and generalists working together. “And out of hospital the rehab team and crucially the CHSS team right at the centre of things. While I tried to come to terms with my new life, I was constantly supported across many different areas by Katie and the team. “The practical, emotional and physical help I have received has and will make a profound difference to my recovery.” If you are living with a chest, heart or stroke condition and are in need advice, information and support, please contact Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland’s Advice Line on freephone 0808 801 0899 or email adviceline@chss.org.uk.