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.

Our March 2020 winner is:

Tricia Ward, Nursery Nurse, 0-19 HCP North locality, Cambridgeshire

Tricia was nominated by Jo Smith after she received a wonderful email from a family she cares for.

The email reads as follows: “Hi, I wanted to write you an email with regards to the sleep advice and support that was provided to our daughter. She has always been a troubled sleeper ever since she was born. She always wanted to be held and cried when she was put down. We got her into her own room at around the time she was 8 months but always struggled to put her down without her being cuddled. We tried all sorts of methods and theories but none seemed to work. Things were so bad that we were up every night for 3-4 hours at a time trying to get her to settle. Eventually, we gave up and she came into our bed to sleep if she woke in the night (having vowed we would never do this); she was around 18 months old at this point.

“When she had turned 2, a health visitor advised us of Tricia and said she could help us. We went for our first visit last February (2019) and had regular visits where Tricia gave us advice and practical tips to try. We were so exhausted and I have to admit I was dubious as to whether we would ever crack her sleep. I found out I was pregnant again in April last year and was incredibly sick and very tired so my husband took over the night time routine instead of us sharing it and this seemed to help her. The constant of one person putting her to bed and strictly sticking to the plan Tricia had given us was soon having an effect. By the summer she was settling and sleeping through! I honestly never thought we would ever see her sleeping in her own bed but also going to sleep quickly, able to sooth/settle herself and sleep through.

“I think Tricia was/is a God send! We have the occasional night where she gets up and sometimes needs the comfort of sleeping on a mattress on the floor of our room - especially since her brother was born but nothing like it used to be and for that we are truly grateful. I wanted to say thank you to Tricia for all the support she gave us. The sleep deprivation was really starting to have a negative impact on our lives but we are all happier now she is able to sleep. Our baby boy seems to be totally different when it comes to sleep, fingers crossed that continues! Many thanks.”

Well done Tricia!

Other nominations this month included:

Karen Fell, Infant Feeding Specialist, Bedfordshire Baby Friendly team 

Karen was nominated by one of her patients for the support provided to her and her new born twins. She said: “I was referred to Karen last year as I required support with breastfeeding my new born twins who were having various difficulties. Karen has been such a huge source of support for me and my family. I genuinely believe that I would not be in the position I am today (still feeding both babies at six months) without her guidance and understanding of infant feeding. I am quite sure that what Karen doesn’t know about the subject could fit onto a stamp with some room to spare around the edges. No matter what question I would throw at her, she would always have an answer or suggestion substantiated with the most up to date evidence.

“Karen was a huge help to me and advocated for us on several occasions to ensure we had the best outcomes at a time when I was struggling the most. She helped to ensure one of the twins had a timely tongue tie division and went above and beyond to contact dieticians when we needed advice and guidance about CMA. Karen even shared a wonderful dairy free Yorkshire pudding recipe! Whenever Karen would come to visit, she would do so with a smile on her face and I would feel a huge sense of relief knowing that she was here to help. Karen listens carefully and has always demonstrated the greatest degree of empathy and kindness. She has worked so hard with us to ensure that I have been able to realise my dream of breastfeeding twins - something I did not think would happen. I am eternally grateful for the support that Karen provided us with. I could not think of a better person to be sent to support mothers at a time when they feel most vulnerable.”

Nikki Ciccone and Agne Storpirstyte, Administrator and Senior Administrator, DynamicHealth, Peterborough

Nikki and Agne were nominated by Lisa Pitney-Baxter for taking care of a patient who was waiting for ambulance transport around 3pm.  Lisa said: “Whilst going through reception I noticed that this lady was shivering. I asked her if she was okay and she mentioned that she hadn't had anything to eat since breakfast. I asked her if I could get her something and she wanted a cup of tea. Whilst I went and got that and a blanket, Nikki, having overheard went to her shopping and retrieved a tub of fresh fruit salad. She gave it to the patient who was happily munching through it when I returned with the tea. Unfortunately the transport didn't come until 6.30, after the department had shut so thanks also to Agne for staying until then.”

Alison Sansome, Consultant Paediatrician, Children and Young People’s Services, Cambridgeshire

Alison’s colleagues wanted to nominate her for her amazing commitment to support both families and professionals by showing endless care, empathy, compassion and quality.  Here are a few quotes from both patients and professionals.

Dr Tamsin Holland Brown: "She has supported and enabled innovation and research in our team."

Dr Ann Humphreys: "Alison has been an inspirational leader of the Community Paediatric team. She has worked unstintingly for the benefit of her patients and to support her staff over the last 10 years as Clinical Lead. She provides great support and guidance to her team, both professionally and personally, and has been guided by the principle that children and their families should be at the heart of what we do, where care and clinical excellence and rigour are paramount, and has fostered a culture of research and development within the team. She has given much more of her time than contracted to. She is very responsive to parents and families when they need additional support and for example regularly attends the Down syndrome support group. She has worked tirelessly to develop the Peacock Centre as a multidisciplinary children's centre, and is keen to embrace new developments where these work for the benefit of children and families. She is able to lead and to collaborate extremely effectively."

Patient - Boy Aged 12: "The only person on the planet that I trust to give me an injection in Dr Alison."

Patient - Girl Aged 17: "I know that I only have to ring or email Dr Alison and I will get support."

Patient – Boy Aged 12: "It's exciting to see Dr Alison".

Tracey Bingham Co-production Lead: "It's been such a pleasure to hear the comments from young people about the care they have received from Dr Alison Sansome."

Helen Lindsay Community Nursery Nurse: "Dr Alison Sansome has always put patients at the forefront of our service and is an inspirational leader and is hugely valued and appreciated by our services."

Amanda Birchnall, MDT Pathways Co-Ordinator, The Oak Tree Centre, Huntingdon

Amanda was nominated by Tracey Bingham for developing the Patient Health Passport alongside families.  She said: “I would like to nominate her for the dedication and support she has put into co-producing the project. Since Amanda first understood that she was already co-producing the project but didn't know it, she put herself forward to help facilitate the Youth Working Together Group to find out from young people who would use the passport what it was that they wanted on the form that would truly represent them. She has offered to provide administrative support in future to enable this working together group to continue and grow.

“Amanda has provided me with information so that I can give relevant co-production advice and has committed to involve patients and their families at every level of design, production of documentation and project evaluation. She is now working on a co-designed leaflet alongside families who are actively using the passport. Amanda has been exemplary in taking on new ideas and to discover what co-production can do for our families and has advised me what needs to be in place so that the Children's Specialist Services can take ownership of the project. She is making a difference to many families with children living with complex needs and it would be great to say thank you to her for her enthusiasm and dedication.”

Sam Powell and Sherryl Annis, Health Care Assistant, iCaSH Suffolk - Orwell Clinic

Sam and Sherryl were nominated by Allison Chaplin for taking it upon themselves to co-ordinate the UEA medical students placements at the Orwell Clinic.  Allison said: “This involves a high number of students being accommodated over a short period of time, ensuring they all get an opportunity to experience all aspects of the clinic, and making sure all the team are aware of the students and the learning outcomes.

“Feedback from the visiting students has been really positive indicating the organisation, welcome and experience have been great. This is down to Sam and Sherryl's organisational skills, and their actions have made a great difference to the students experience and the smooth running of the clinic.”

Well done to everyone who was nominated this month!