Port Stephens-Hunter Senior Constable Jenna Stedman and Constable Steven Drane were presented with certificates at Maitland Police Station on Thursday after they played an integral role in helping East Maitland woman Ilona Grigg spend her final moments with her dying husband of 52 years, Dan.

Maitland MP Jenny Aitchison, who spoke of their compassion in NSW Parliament in September, presented the certificates and praised the pair for promptly driving Mrs Grigg to John Hunter Hospital.

"It's really indicative of how a small gesture - in terms of providing an extra service - can have such a profound effect in people's lives and really enhance the relationships that they have with the community," she said.

Mrs Grigg phoned Maitland Police on July 25 after the hospital rang and said her husband may have as little as 30 minutes left in this world.

Unable to drive herself, or rely on anybody else to pick her up at such short notice, she turned to the police.

"It was great to see the police respond in this manner and the compassion they showed at a time when the family needed it the most," Port Stephens-Hunter Superintendent Chad Gillies said.

"We get called 24/7 to people in all sorts of situations and at times it is a judgment call. For us it wasn't huge but it meant so much to that lady, and where we can do it we will," Port Stephens-Hunter Inspector Tony Townsend added.

Mrs Grigg's husband was diagnosed with a brain tumour in May after he had a turn at home, on her birthday.

He put up a strong fight and went through surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy but by July his condition was firmly on a steep decline.

"It was nice to get her there in time, it was a good outcome for her," Senior Constable Stedman said.

"She was pretty distressed at the time so it was our duty to get her down there in time. It was definitely different to any other job," Constable Drane added.

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