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.

Shine a Light Award Winner – July 2014

Heather Curtis, Administrator, Podiatry, New Horsefair Clinic, Wisbech 

Heather was nominated by her colleague Angela Hayes for excelling in her training to become a foot care assistant and also maintaining a high level of administration skills at the same time.

Heather is a full time administrator for the podiatry department and she also manages to put in time to study and practice in readiness for her exam. She undertakes foot care clinics under mentorship from a podiatrist whilst managing to achieve her admin duties. 

She has received fantastic feedback from patients, particularly when she was called upon to support a Feet Focus clinic, (which is the departments fee paying service) when a clinician was off sick.  The patients on that particular day were so appreciative that one patient was happy to pay extra money for the treatment, which was obviously declined.  Another commented on what a great job she had done. 

Well done to Heather.

Other nominations for July include:

Kim Strickle, Community Matron, Wisbech New Horsefair Clinic

Kim was nominated by her colleague Tamsin Ford for the hard work she put into the Trafford Project at North Cambs Hospital, which was singled out by the CQC in their recent inspection as outstanding. 

Kim goes above and beyond for her patients and has avoided many hospital admissions in the time the project has been running. So many patients are grateful for her nursing expertise. She has also pushed herself to complete the Masters level prescribing course in that time to expand her role and give patients an even better service.

Natalie Butcher, Workforce Information Assistant, Corporate

Natalie was commended by Kev Adams for the extra mile she is always willing to go. 

In increasingly challenging times for the workforce information function (brought on by HEEoE, TDA and procurement support demands) she has remained enthusiastic, flexible and dedicated. Natalie's dedication has enabled the team to frequently meet tight deadlines and her tireless hard work has resulted in numerous process improvements / efficiency gains. 

Most significantly, due to a combination of annual leave and compassionate leave, Nat was recently required to cover not only her line manager but also the "grandparent" role during the critical month end reporting period. She did so with professionalism and an attitude worthy of a much higher pay grade.

Community Rehabilitation Peterborough, Therapy Support Workers, City Care Centre, Peterborough

The TSW were nominated by Diana Baird for being an excellent group of staff who provide a high standard of intervention to patients in the community. They are aware of their boundaries and consequently the qualified staff have confidence in the safety of their work. Currently there is a low number of permanent qualified staff and the TSWs are supporting service delivery so that people are not at risk in their homes. 

They work very well as a team, supporting one another. They are pro-active in ensuring efficiency and take responsibility for ensuring that waiting lists remain manageable. The qualified staff are very grateful for their hard work and the high standard of work.

Nicola Yardy, Receptionist, Minor Injuries Unit, Princess of Wales Hospital, Ely

Nicola was nominated by a member of the public for the immediate and caring attitude she showed to treat a rather nasty leg scold.

Rachel Worbey, Children's Continuing Care Staff Nurse, CCC Team, Children's Unit, Hinchingbrooke Hospital

Rachel was commended by Patricia Jordan for supporting her throughout the training she needed to care for a young child, with a tracheostomy, in his own home. Rachel always made sure that she was safe not only in her professional and personal safety but also in the safety of the patient. Rachel combines patience with a sound knowledge base for teaching HCA's. 

Her commitment to the team and the calibre of service she provides is second to none. Rachel qualified as a RN nearly two years ago, and during the time she has shown a commitment to her colleagues, the team and in particular the families they work with. She has acted as an advocate for staff and the families, and this professionalism will always be there.

Wisbech Community Nurse's and administration team, New Horsefair Clinic 

The team were nominated by Lynn Edwards for the help and support shown to enable her to settle in and learn her new job role as a HCA.

Two years later the team/colleagues continue to maintain that support and guidance, not just to Lynn but for each colleague, even when every member is so busy with their own workload. They will always find time and are a patient focused team with a can do attitude.

Sally Shaw, Team Lead, Community Liaison Team

Sally was nominated by her team for actively and consistently supporting the team through a very difficult time, all whilst ensuring a high standard of care has been delivered throughout. 

As a team they admire Sally and strive to achieve their best. The past few months have been a very challenging time for them and she has ensured that they have maintained their high standards, achieving preferred place of death for many of their end of life patients leaving the hospital. 

She has done this by supporting everyone each day. Frankly they would be lost without her!

Well done to everyone!