This award is an opportunity for patients, families, visitors and Trust colleagues to say ‘thank you – you made a difference’ to a member of staff or a team for anything (however small!) that helped make their experience of our services better.

The winner for May 2018 is:

Nikki Hurst Muggridge, Physiotherapist, Physio, Peacock Centre, Cambridge

Nikki was nominated by the mother of one of her patients with whom she had worked with for the past two years, providing regular physiotherapy to help develop her mobility. Her daughter suffers from cerebral palsy; however, she is a determined little girl who is always on the move. Nikki's continuous input and the fantastic relationship she has formed with her has been crucial in her development. The mother said: "Nikki regularly goes the extra mile to ensure my daughter has access to the equipment she needs, helping us, her parents, in setting it up and teaching us how to use it and how best to provide daily physio. She has been pivotal in co-ordinating support via the CDC, as well as co-ordinating orthotics and Lycra suit appointments.

"Nikki has helped and reassured us at every stage and we would like her to be recognised for the support she has given us and our daughter since she was born. Sadly Nikki is no longer able to work with us due to new work commitments but we will be eternally grateful for all she has done and would like to wish her well with her new role."

Huge congratulations to Nikki!

Other nominees this month included:

Sarah Coleman and Lauren Bull, Staff Nurse Out of Hours Rapid Response and Rapid Response Sister - Luton

Annamaria nominated both Sarah and Lauren who dealt with overwhelming sadness whilst caring for two patients within the same family; one end of life and the other acutely ill. Sarah, during out of hours when the dying patient deteriorated and Lauren, the following morning when the family were still in shock and equipment and services needed to be arranged urgently. Annamaria said: "Their professionalism and compassion was greatly appreciated by the family. The patient and family members complimented both nurses and said that their work was invaluable in their time of need. Both nurses are great credit to the team."

Joan Pope, Housekeeper - Special Care Baby Unit, Hinchingbrooke Hospital

Joan was commended by Tracy James for working tirelessly on SCBU in assisting staff to maintain a high quality service. Tracy said: "SCBU recently conducted a deep clean of the entire unit and store rooms which was a huge undertaking. Joan helped project manage this, working over and above her responsibilities and ensured this process went smoothly with virtually no disruption to patient care which is no mean feat!"

Nicky Ross, Advanced Clinical Nurse Practitioner, iCaSH, Abbeyview clinic

Nicky was nominated by Teresa Molloy for training all the reproductive health nurses within West Suffolk with implant insertions and removals ahead of schedule. This has made a huge impact on the service and for patients within the community. Nicky is constantly available for training of procedures to staff. Her past experience as a manager to the team at iCaSH has been invaluable, especially during the many changes that have occurred to the service over the past three years. Teresa said: "Nicky’s support has been outstanding to patients and staff during this difficult time. Nicky is consistently helpful, supportive and caring. Her advanced nursing skills are exemplary and her bright personality and manner of kindness to patients and staff is one of a kind."

Sandeep Johal, Foundation Dentist, Peterborough Dental Access Centre

Sandeep had concerns after parents she had seen in the dental access centre failed to make a follow up appointment for their young child to treat his dental pain. She tried to contact the parents by telephone and via letter but to no avail. She then sent in a safeguarding referral which was initially rejected as she had not been able to gain consent from the parents. She was still concerned that the child was not receiving appropriate treatment so she contacted Caroline Halls, Head of Safeguarding for advice. Julia Hallam-Seagrave said: "Sandeep worked with Julia Franklin, Caroline and the GP to try to get the parents to attend and eventually using a translated appointment letter sent to their house she was able to arrange an appointment with an interpreter present. The child attended the appointment with parents and an interpreter. Without Sandeep's dogged determination to engage the parents this child would still have dental pain."

Petrina Kaye and Debbie Olivant, Adult Rapid Response Lead and Children’s Rapid Response Nurse, Luton

Sarah Bunn nomimated Petrina and Debbie for their collaborative working to support an avoidable admission: The adult RR team were unable to cannulate a patient who required IV antibiotics to prevent a hospital admission. Instead of admitting the patient Petrina considered who else may be able to undertake this activity and discussed the case with a member of the Children's Rapid response service. Debbie readily agreed to visit the patient with a member of the adult team. Debbie was not successful in cannulating the patient who did have to make a quick trip for the procedure to be undertaken in A&E before returning home to have the antibiotics administered. Sarah said: "This was a fantastic example of a combination of collaborative working and going the extra mile to support a patient to remain at home."

Huge congratulations to everyone who was nominated this month!