Kate Baker, who was treated at Queen’s Hospital when she was diagnosed with a benign brain tumour just before Christmas 2016, has joined our Patient Partnership Council.

As a patient partner for specialist medicine, the division which cared for her during her time in hospital, Kate, 36, will help to improve services across our hospitals by being able to give a patient perspective.

Kate, who lives in Colchester and was treated at Queen’s Hospital as she required specialist care, has become a passionate advocate for us following her treatment. She’s completed a number of running challenges following her recovery and has already raised £1,500 for our charity, the King George and Queen’s Hospitals Charity

She also regularly supports our charity and even volunteered on her former ward, Sahara B, on Christmas Day 2017.

The mum to four-year-old Max said: “I woke up on Sahara B to find myself at the lowest point in my life and I genuinely didn’t care if I left there in once piece or not.

“Life was diabolical and up to that point nothing mattered anymore. But slowly, with each smile, every cup of tea and well-articulated explanation that everything was going to be okay, it turned into the best thing that ever happened to me.

“So that’s why I wanted to become a patient partner, not only to give that support back to the hospital I am eternally grateful to, but because I never want to forget that beautifully chaotic chapter that gave me a second chance at life.”

We’re always on the lookout for people to become patient partners, helping to improve care across our hospitals. If you think you could help make care better for everyone, contact patientexperience@bhrhospitals.nhs.uk.

Pictured above is Kate during her time in hospital.