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Dedicating several months to help bring closure to a grieving family while honouring the dignity of a life nearly lost to history – bereavement officer Laura Larham has been praised for her exceptional care. 

Laura, who works at Peterborough City Hospital’s Bereavement Centre, was the winner of  the Outstanding Care and Compassion category at the Outstanding Achievement Awards 2025.

Held at Peterborough Cathedral, the North West Anglia NHS Foundation Trust awards celebrated staff and volunteers who deliver incredible patient care and go over and above the call of duty.

In November 2024, a patient passed away with no known next of kin. Initial investigations into their background revealed possible birth records, but discrepancies in the date of birth made confirmation difficult. 

However, undeterred, Laura collaborated closely with the local authorities and a genealogist, who eventually identified a potential relative. 

The process took around six months, and Laura put in many hours of her own time liaising with the local council and the genealogy company to establish if they had the correct family.

 

Determined to help the family find closure after decades of uncertainty, Laura tirelessly pursued post mortem DNA testing options, contacting multiple labs, navigating the complexities of obtaining the coroner’s consent, and coordinating with the mortuary team for sample retrieval. 

Her persistence paid off, and in April this year, the patient was confirmed as a full sibling match to the family in Ireland. Laura had identified a hospital in London for DNA testing and organised for the family member to come from abroad to do a test.

The relative shared a moving account: the patient had left Ireland for London around the age of 17 with his brothers to work in construction. At 34, he suddenly cut all contact with his family, who spent years trying to locate him - without success. 

Thanks to Laura, the family in Ireland were not only reunited with their long lost relative, but have since been able to piece together missing elements of their life. 

Laura – who also attended a local funeral service for the patient, collected the ashes and  arranged for their safe return to the family - was nominated for the award by her colleague Julie Perry.

She said: “Laura was always professional and respectful in her dealings with the family, showing she cared about the patient, even if it might not be their relative. It took several months for all the findings to come back and this was rewarded by reuniting a family with their long lost relative. Laura went above and beyond for this patient and their family.”

Laura was presented with her award by Bev Shears, Deputy Chair of North West Anglia NHS Foundation Trust. 

Laura said: “I was very honoured to be nominated for this award, and in fact believe I was just doing my job and hope that anyone would do the same. It is also great recognition for the department.”