A nurse who went beyond the call of duty to care for a sick patient has been nominated for this week’s Local Hero award.

Critical care outreach sister Sarah Goodhew, who works at the Royal Sussex County Hospital in Brighton, was nominated by an asthma patient who was admitted to hospital in a potentially life-threatening condition.

The woman, who wants to remain anonymous, visited A&E on October 19 with severe asthma and was kept in overnight for treatment.

She became very unwell by the late evening and was put to sleep with a tube down her throat to open up her airways.

The woman told The Argus: “Shortly after I came to hospital I got moved to a ward and had numerous visits from her.

“She was always smiling and always reassuring me, despite her high workload.

“I became very poorly by 7pm – an hour before she was meant to be going home – and she told me she wouldn’t be leaving until she knew I was safe. She was also due in work the next day.

“She held my hand and reassured me until 10.30pm that night when they had to put me to sleep.

“I believe she didn’t leave until after this time – well beyond her 8pm finishing time.

“There was not one moment that she made me feel like I was putting her out of her way, she was a guardian angel.”

The woman said she has “always found it difficult” to manage her asthma and the process of putting her to sleep would have been “hugely more dramatic” if Ms Goodhew was not there.

She added: “The first thing she did when she came into work the next day was check how I was.

“This is one lady who thoroughly deserves recognition for her outstanding, amazing commitment to her job.

“She supported me and my partner through one of the scariest times I have ever faced in my life – and I don’t get scared easily.”

Accepting her Local Hero award, Ms Goodhew said: “I am really very touched and somewhat overwhelmed by the comments from the young lady I helped care for. “It makes me very proud to accept the Local Hero nomination. She has taken the time to nominate me when I know she is still convalescing from her recent admission, so thank you.”

l Do you know someone who deserves recognition?

Contact Ben Leo by calling 01273 544682 or email ben.leo @theargus.co.uk