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Thanks for looking after us all

Emilene Coventry
28/11/2007

A CHILDREN’S nurse has won a caring award for the way she looked after a seriously ill baby and his parents.

Two-year-old Curtis Crossland has been in and out of Tameside Hospital since he was born 12 weeks premature weighing just 2lb 3oz.

Born with lung disease and two hernias, he spent three months in hospital and had to have a tracheostomy – a tube inserted into his windpipe – to help him breathe.

For two weeks mum Kellie Shaw, 30, and dad Michael Crossland, 23, did not know whether he would live or die.

Kellie said they could not have coped without the help of nurse Heidi Jones.

That is why she nominated her for a Caring for Those Who Care award.

"There was a point when my relationship with Curtis’s dad was in tatters. I was on the point of a nervous breakdown," said Kellie, of Timperley Road, Ashton.

"But Heidi spent the time with me and his dad to counsel us.

"I have two other sons as well and she always made sure they had something to do as well – she looks after everyone. It’s thanks to Heidi and the consultants that Curtis is alive today."

She said the 35-year-old nurse was like a ‘second mum’ to her son.

And Curtis has made a remarkable recovery.

Now a bright, cheeky toddler, he runs round happily and is even able to speak a few words despite the tracheostomy. He only has to visit hospital for check-ups.

Heidi said: "I felt really proud and dead chuffed that someone actually took the time to write about me. I think everyone here does a fantastic job – I was just fortunate that they sat down and wrote in.

"I just love being here with the kids, although it’s not just the kids, the families are so important as well – the parents, the grandparents, brothers and sisters."