Our winner
Abbie Cutler, Healthcare Support Worker
Abbie was recognised in her nomination as being an outstanding member of the Ward 1 team.
Kind, caring and approachable, Abbie especially shines in the delivery of end of life care and shows the utmost respect and compassion for her patients and their families.
Her dedication is shown in so many ways – from buying toiletries for patients to walking five miles in the snow to support her colleagues.
When she learned that one palliative patient had a fear of dying, Abbie took them to the chapel each shift and, when they were no longer able to attend themselves, Abbie made sure that a Chaplain visited him daily on the ward. She regularly took the patient outside for fresh air and made them feel comfortable and cared for.
The commitment that Abbie has to her patients and her team is unmatched. She epitomises the hard work of Healthcare Support Workers, taking on any tasks given and completing them to the best of her ability.
This award was kindly sponsored by CAE Technology Services Limited.
Abbie was unable to attend the event in person but appeared virtually as Matron, Tracy Jessop, and Junior Charge Nurse, Andrew Gray, accepted the award on her behalf from Chief Executive, ‘Foluke Ajayi.
Highly commended nominees
Betty Johnston, Domestic Services
Based on the Labour Ward, Betty works quietly in the background to ensure the ward runs smoothly.
Nothing is too much trouble for ‘Super Betty.’ If she notices that the Team are chasing their tails, she’ll do what she can to carry some of that load, going above and beyond what is expected.
“The flash of her red uniform is everywhere, behind a mop or a broom, under a bed with a dustpan and brush or up a ladder cleaning windowsills – we know she’s there by the smell of cleanliness that follows her.”
“She sometimes feels the font of all knowledge and we would be lost without her. Ward 13 would never be able to facilitate the large quantities of weekly discharges if it wasn’t for her excellent time management, incredible organisational skills and immaculate attention to detail.”
Emma Smith, HEF Dietetic Assistant
Without a hint of hesitation, Emma steps up time and time again to support her teams.
Her role is split evenly between the Adult and Paediatric Dietetic Teams and she will never turn down the other if they are in need – she will do whatever she can to help.
Emma always thinks about how she can make things easier for others. Despite not being asked, she completely transformed the department’s storage of equipment to help streamline things and has also taken the time to update and re-organise countless records which has helped to free up some of the clinicians’ time which can now be spent on patients.
Her kindness, compassion and intuition has also had a positive impact on patients and their families. When a young patient sadly passed away, Emma rang the external company that supplies equipment to patients to make sure the family’s order was cancelled.
She chose to stay past her finishing time to make sure it wouldn’t be delivered. Although the system showed the order as cancelled, the delivery had still gone out but Emma made sure this was stopped before it reached the family.
Rachel Hill, Ward 5 volunteer
Having previously been a patient on the ward and a therapist by profession, Rachel volunteers on Ward 5 by providing a weekly upper limb rehabilitation group.
Rachel goes the extra mile to provide psychological and emotional support to patients as well as other exercise activities.
She has also started a gardening group to support patients to get outside in the spring weather. This has lifted the spirits of of patients and has also improved their wellbeing.
The team has received countless compliments about Rachel’s exceptional dedication from patients, relatives and other team members.
“Ward 5 really would not be the same without her, she is our treasure and we are very grateful for all she does.”
