Aboubakr honoured with Long Service Award

Aboubakr Elsayed, Patient Liaison Officer at GOSH International and Private Care, is a familiar face across our hospital. He was recently awarded with a Long Service Award. An award which celebrates staff members for their incredible contribution who have reached the milestone of 20, 30 and 40 years of service at GOSH.  Aboubakr's journey to GOSH began more than 23 years ago.  

His journey to GOSH began more than 23 years ago.  

He tells us about what bought him to GOSH and what has kept him here for all these years.  

“I started at GOSH 23 years ago as an interpreter before becoming an advocate, supporting our patients and eventually I became Patient Liaison Officer. 

“I arrived in London when I was 20 purely by chance with a friend and worked in lots of different roles before I started at GOSH.  

“My role involves supporting international families and children to ensure their time here with us is as stress-free as possible. This can include contacting the embassies or consultants on their behalf, answering questions or just telling them more about London and places they can visit while they’re here. 

“If the family are concerned about anything they’ll come to me, and I will sort it for them – it’s the best feeling to see a smile on their face - that makes me really happy.  

“It's a very interesting role and every day is different.”

What has kept you here for all these years? 

“I love dealing with the families. Our families come from different countries, from different cultures and they don't always know anything about the UK and the hospital. Sometimes they're away from home for two or three years; sometimes they stay for six months or so, go back to their country and come back again for another nine months or one year. 

“You meet families when they are vulnerable. They need help and I can help to make things a little easier so they can concentrate on caring for their child.” 

What is the favourite thing about your role? 

“There are so many things I love about this hospital. I have a good relationship with so many different people from different religions, different countries with different beliefs, which makes me very happy. 

I've been here for such a long time; I know nearly know everybody in the hospital!  

What’s been your proudest achievement at GOSH?  

“I've been involved with three or four major things at the hospital which I’m really proud of. 

“Many years ago, I became aware that as my role involves going to different parts of the hospital, it was often difficult to contact me because my landline was at my desk. 

“So I suggested to my manager that the Trust looks at getting Cisco, the wireless telephone, to use around the hospital. Eventually this system was rolled out across the hospital and that was pretty amazing! 

“I also helped bring a prayer room to the hospital in 2001. Before that myself and my Muslim colleagues had to travel 15 -20 minutes to the nearest mosque.  

“We used to have multi-faith room which was very small and wasn’t able to accommodate everyone who came to Friday prayers.  

“After talking to senior executives at GOSH we were given a room but we soon realised this wouldn’t accommodate the number of staff and families who wanted to pray. So we requested a bigger room and we now have a beautiful prayer room which can easily accommodate everyone.  

“The third thing I’m proud of is helping to introduce halal food at the Trust. Most of our private families come from the Gulf area and are Muslim so they will ask for halal meat, which wasn’t available. After meeting with the restaurant manager, the hospital introduced halal options, which is really important for our families and patients. 

Are there any memories that particularly stand out from your time at GOSH?  

I have many special memories - from the relationships with the consultants and doctors to the patients I meet. I remember being invited to the wedding of one patient 12 years after he was treated here – that was special.  

I also met the then Prince Charles and Camilla when they visited GOSH in 2006 when they visited Octav Botnar. He was really interested in hearing about our work and talking to the children and staff.  

What keeps you at GOSH? 

“I love working with the children and the families. I love my job. I'm 73 years old now and I can’t imagine not being here.”