The trust which runs the Queen's Medical Centre has paid tribute to an emergency department nurse and dad-of-five whose organs were donated after he died in a fatal motorbike crash. Rowan Bailey was just 40 when he died in a crash outside the Aldi supermarket in Stapleford.
The emergency department nurse of seven years was described as a "family-man with an infectious smile". He leaves behind five children, the youngest being just over a year old.
The incident happened on August 13 last year. Nottingham University Hospitals (NUH) says he had agreed to organ and tissue donation having felt passionately about doing so. His partner, Sophie Chester, says "he proved to be selfless right to the end".
"We are all still coming to terms with life without Rowan,” she said. “An amazing daddy, partner, son, brother and friend. He’s left a huge hole in our lives that will never be the same.
"Rowan was a gentle giant who would do anything for anyone and he proved to be selfless right to the end. We are so incredibly proud." Mr Bailey had been cared for by his friends and colleagues after he was admitted to the QMC following the crash. Many have paid tribute to him.
His colleague Sadie Harris, a specialist organ donation nurse, cared for him in intensive care. It is understood his organs have helped recipients on the transplant list and are being used for research that will "ultimately benefit many others".
"He was well-loved by all,” Ms Harris says. “Rowan was a beautiful human being and his gift of life ultimately summed up his willingness to help others at all costs.”
And his former line manager, Neil Wakefield, said: “His humour was legendary but was also very professional in his role. On a personal level, I knew Rowan outside of work and he came on the annual ED lads' European breaks whenever he could and was always great company.
"His passing hit everyone hard, myself included. He is sadly missed. He was, and always will be, an ED legend.”
Máirín Casey, the senior coroner for Nottingham and Nottinghamshire, who presided over the inquest into his death, added: “It is clear to me from all of the information that I received about Rowan that he was a very special human being. However, it is equally clear to me that his selflessness is reflected in the actions of his family who agreed to organ and tissue donation at one of the most challenging times that anyone could ever face.
"They respected and supported his wishes and as a result, he and they have given the gift of life to others, after Rowan was lost to them. It is one of the most generous acts imaginable and on behalf of all those who have benefited from their generosity, I thank them most sincerely.”
