A ‘one of a kind’ health care support worker who staff and patients can rely on and a clinical nurse practitioner who is the epitome of compassion and excellent care are our winners of the August You Made a Difference awards.
Jenny has worked at CUH since 2013. She is dedicated to her role as a health care support worker (HCSW) and well loved by all her team in the Cambridge Movement Surgical Hub.
You never see Jenny without a smile on her face and she is always willing to help and support others.
Jenny’s kind approach to her patients and colleagues shines through and the patients always comment on her kindness and care.
Extracts from Jenny’s nomination, submitted by a colleague, said:
“Jenny is probably the best health care support worker that anyone at CUH has worked with. Everyone calls her ‘Mama Jen’ as she looks after her colleagues so well.
Jenny is a ray of sunshine and everybody on the ward loves working with her.
“Aside from her incomparable personality, she is also hardworking. You can see how compassionate she is whenever she is working.
“I've been told by many patients that they feel cared for when Jenny is around and that she's ‘one of a kind’. Despite going the extra mile for her patients, she still manages to organise her workload and make sure that at the end of the day her jobs are done. We can rely on Jenny and know the shift will run smoothly when she’s there.
“Jenny is an extraordinary HCSW and truly an embodiment of our Trust's Values. This award is long overdue for the hard work that Jenny puts in every day and it’s time we recognise one of the Trust’s most precious gems.”
Nicola began her career at CUH as a health care assistant on Ward A4 in 1997 before training to become a nurse. In 2021, she was appointed to the role of trauma neurosurgical specialist nurse which is her dream job. Since then she has dedicated her career to working within neurosurgery.
Alongside her colleague Kirsty, Nicola has transformed the trauma service and works hard to provide patients and their families with the best possible inpatient experience and support post brain injury. Due to the nature of the injuries sustained, this can be a very emotional job at times.
Nicola is a team player, fabulous nurse and a role model - and as Professor Hutchinson would say, “The Rolls Royce of Neurosurgery”.
Extracts from Nicola’s nomination, submitted by a colleague, said:
Compassionate, resourceful, responsive, inclusive, expert and understanding are a few words to describe Nicola.
“She was the epitome of compassion and excellent care, going above and beyond in the management of a challenging patient.
“The patient was identified as having complex needs and required ongoing enhanced observations. Nicola worked on gaining [the patients] trust and engagement. Nicola managed the patient with dignity and respect, providing patient advocacy and safeguarding to ensure the patient was protected at all times.
“During this time Nicola reassured the ward when she was present that she would always make herself available to support the staff who had less experience managing patients with complex needs.
Nicola showed empathy and understanding towards the patient and was also able to support the staff who were experiencing a new challenge.
“Nicola also demonstrated the importance of providing care that is individualised and supports the patient’s needs. A truly outstanding nurse and an exceptional role model.”