Meet Roald Dahl Nurse Scott

Scott realised in his 30s that banking wasn’t the fulfilling career path he had hoped for.  Seeking a more meaningful vocation, Scott took work as a carer for a 12-year-old boy with multiple complex medical conditions.  Now a Roald Dahl Nurse at Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital, Scott loves his job caring for medically complex children and credits this “magical relationship” with a lad who couldn’t speak, see or walk for inspiring his move into specialist children’s nursing.   “I qualified as a nurse when I was 35.  Prior to this I had completed a textile design degree then actually worked in banking in junior management then across projects and training.  “When the global economic crisis hit in 2007 I took redundancy as I felt that I could put the skills I’d acquired, like organisation and people management, to better use for society.  “As a first step, I registered with a care agency and began doing care work for adults at home and in residential homes.  One of the families on the agency’s books had an established carer who’d left, and they specifically wanted a male carer to replace them as their son, who had complex disabilities, was 12 years old, so I became his main employed carer. “It was this relationship, and the in-depth knowledge of complex care measures I developed, that made me lean towards nursing. I started an NVQ to qualify for a nursing degree.  During this time I worked for a supported housing scheme for recovering alcoholics where I was promoted and given a caseload to manage.  I then moved to a partner project in homelessness and at this point I was offered a place to do my nursing degree.  This was a real crossroads, as I was simultaneously offered a promotion to manage the housing project, but I had to choose the nursing degree. 

Becoming a Roald Dahl Nurse “My role as Roald Dahl CMC Nurse Specialist is my fifth nursing post and I credit a boy who couldn’t speak or see or walk as the inspiration for me to change my working life. It really shows the power of these children who are frequently underestimated and overlooked.  I aim to bring together my experience in hospital and community acute care, special educational needs settings, and as a former epilepsy specialist nurse to support the holistic needs of the families in my care.  As support and care for this growing group of children evolves, I am so pleased to be involved from the beginning and be a part of this important time. The family perspective  Fiver-year-old Oscar is supported by Scott.  He is a brave, cheeky and clever boy, who loves swimming, bubbles, and pressing buttons.  His mum Sara says, “Scott’s done a lot, he helps get things done and he listens to us, and if I can’t get an answer he will try and get the answer for me.  I like that about him.  If we didn’t have Scott, we would struggle a lot because he coordinates and pulls everyone in.   We feel much more included now.  He explains everything so that I can understand it; he’s just lovely, so genuine and supportive.  Words cannot explain how much it means and how much it is needed.” 

Fund more Roald Dahl Nurses like Scott  Roald Dahl Nurses are established by Roald Dahl's Marvellous Children's Charity to care for children living with some of the most complex medical conditions in the UK.  The dedication and expertise of these nurses reduce A&E visits, hospital admissions and consultant appointments, easing pressure on the NHS. Roald Dahl Nurses are a vital lifeline to the whole family, coordinating care and providing access to high quality emotional support. Thanks to medical advancements, the population of children with medical complexity is growing and Roald Dahl’s Marvellous Children’s charity is committed to establishing more Roald Dahl Nurses to care for them. Fund a Roald Dahl Nurse today.