An enthusiastic health care assistant who has a natural ability to show every patient kindness, and a senior trainee in emergency medicine and pre-hospital emergency medicine who always does her best for patients and colleagues, are the winners of February’s You Made a Difference awards.
George joined the Wolfson Diabetes and Endocrine Clinic in August 2018, with limited experience of working in a healthcare environment, having undertaken bank shifts working as a health care assistant after previously working in the taxi business.
George works across the Wolfson Diabetes and Endocrine Clinic which provides outpatient diabetes, endocrine, obesity and lipid clinic services. He consistently demonstrates our Trust values of Together – safe, kind and excellent and willingly provides valuable support on the wards.
Although George covers all areas, he has been primarily working with the Diabetes Foot Team and has developed an exceptional working relationship with the entire team.
Thanks to George’s enthusiasm, motivation to learn and natural ability to show each patient kindness, he has earned the respect of his colleagues and patients alike.
George continues to strive for both personal and professional development and does not shy away from any opportunities - even when he may find them daunting.
Ultimately ensuring each patient receives the highest standard of care possible is George’s goal and it is wonderful he has been recognised for his hard work and dedication.
An extract from George’s nomination said:
“George is a very valued member of the Diabetes Foot Team. He always goes over and above for his colleagues and for our patients. He regularly stays late to ensure patients are looked after and safely delivered to the wards when being admitted through the Foot Clinic, and he's always happy to assist the wards when they are short-staffed in getting rooms ready.
“He was happy to be deployed throughout the Covid pandemic and during the recent industrial action, and always has a smile on his face.
“Recently a regular patient attended the Foot Clinic and told George they were struggling with their mental health. George did not hesitate to sit down, spend time and listen to the patient, to support them through their crisis and signpost them to the relevant people. The patient has since attended clinic again and informed the team they probably would not have been here today if it wasn't for George's compassion and kindness. The patient truly feels that George saved their life.
“This is not the first time George has gone over and above for a patient.”
George embodies the CUH's values of together, safe, kind and excellent and we are very grateful that he works in our department and for CUH.
Amber is a senior trainee in emergency medicine and pre-hospital emergency medicine. She moved to Cambridge from Leeds and is completing her last year of training at Addenbrooke’s (which amounts to two years due to the extra year of pre-hospital work).
Amber is active in the military and has interests in travel, wildlife and hiking and is also partial to a good old pub quiz!
Amber’s supervisor describes her as determined and efficient, someone who will stand up for what she believes in and who always does her best for patients and colleagues.
Amber’s compassion is reflected in extracts from her nomination which said:
“Dr Chadwick received handover from a colleague for an elderly patient who had been brought to hospital by ambulance with features of sepsis.
“Dr Chadwick reviewed the patient herself and recognised that they were nearing the end of their life. Therefore, she called the family to explain the situation sensitively and ascertain the patient's wishes.
“Dr Chadwick met with the family on their arrival to Addenbrooke’s to ensure their needs were met and all questions answered. The patient died peacefully overnight.
“Nothing would have changed this outcome, however, Dr Chadwick's actions ensured that the patient's final hours were as comfortable and dignified as possible and were shared with their family. Kind and excellent.”
