A dedicated children's nurse has retired after an extraordinary five-decade career at Nottingham's Queen's Medical Centre. Kim Helm, who began her nursing journey in 1978, recently completed her final shift, having spent years supporting countless young patients and their families through some of their most challenging times.
As a teenager, Ms Helm recalled watching the Queen's Medical Centre being built, telling her mother she aspired to work there one day. She joined the school of nursing at 18 and, after qualifying in 1982, initially worked on an adult renal unit before transitioning to Nottingham's children's kidney service. This is where she dedicated the majority of her career, eventually becoming a clinical nurse specialist in transplantation, a role she held for more than 25 years. Her work involved caring for children with kidney disease and guiding those undergoing life-saving transplants.
One of the many lives Ms Helm touched is that of 18-year-old Aliza Rafi. Diagnosed with kidney failure at five, Aliza spent three years on dialysis before receiving a kidney transplant at eight years old – a moment facilitated by Ms Helm's call to her family. Aliza is now preparing to compete in badminton and ten-pin bowling at the 2026 British Transplant Games. She credits Ms Helm with unwavering support throughout her treatment, describing her as a constant presence and her 'number one supporter' at the Games.
Beyond her hospital duties, Ms Helm was a leading figure in Nottingham's British Transplant Games team, helping to organise the annual event for transplant recipients. She emphasised that the Games offer more than just sport; they foster friendships and crucial support networks, allowing families to connect with others who understand their experiences and helping children feel safe and part of a community. The event highlights the incredible impact of transplantation, celebrating what recipients are able to achieve.
Colleagues, including Martin Christian, a consultant paediatric nephrologist at Nottingham Children's Hospital, spoke of Ms Helm's invaluable contributions and the significant void her departure will create. He described her as an 'enormous presence' who 'always goes the extra mile,' possessing a deep understanding of not only the medical aspects of her patients' conditions but also their wider lives and backgrounds. Her experience and knowledge are considered irreplaceable, with colleagues even joking about keeping a photo of her with the caption: 'What would Kim do?' As she embarks on retirement, Ms Helm expressed that she would miss her patients, their families, and her colleagues most of all.