Patient Choice Award
Winners
Rachel Andrews
Paediatric Sister, Eye Treatment Centre,
West Suffolk Hospital, Bury St Edmunds
Rachel Andrews, a Paediatric Sister at the Eye Treatment Centre, West Suffolk Hospital in Bury St Edmunds, was chosen by mum Dawn Coller of Thetford in Norfolk. Last year, her son Ed, then aged 13, needed four operations over four weeks to repair severe facial injuries, including removing his right eye. Says Dawn: 'Before the accident, Ed was a cheerful boy with a dry sense of humour; he loved school and had many friends. Little troubled him. Today, four months later, he is exactly the same - he just has one less eye and some fading scars. This remarkable recovery, particularly psychologically, is due to the excellent care of all who treated him. Rachel Andrews stands out even against such a background of excellence...For Ed, Rachel has been a source of great comfort, making his ordeal bearable, the hospital and clinic visits less frightening. Rachel does not leave her work and patients when she goes home - and that extra level of care made Ed feel really special.'
Gill Donovan
Gill Donovan, Breast Cancer Nurse Specialist, Velindre Hospital, Cardiff
Gill Donovan, a Breast Cancer Nurse Specialist at Velindre Hospital in Cardiff, was nominated by five women patients, including Pauline Jenkins of Waterloo Road, Cardiff. Pauline says: 'I found the worst of the chemotherapy to be extremely punishing and very nearly unbearable. For me, Gill...made the difference between getting through those many gruelling months and giving up all together.' Another patient, Dorothy Connell of Buttrills Road, Glamorgan says Gill inspired complete trust. 'It almost felt that if she could, she would have taken my place in the chemotherapy room.' A third, Sheila Bevins, of Melin Dwr, Newport says Gill's support was 'unbelievable...I cannot recommend her highly enough.'
Amitah Shah
Carers' Nurse
Amitah Shah, a Carers' Nurse nominated by a user of Barnet Carers' Centre in north London, was chosen by one of the Centre's users who wishes to remain anonymous, Amitah's nomination says: 'Amitah gave me plenty of time just to talk about what was bothering me and get it all off my chest. She was very perceptive in recognising that I have some major difficulties and picked up that I desperately needed support. It may be her job to look after the carers, but with all the demands that entails, she still makes you feel that you are her only concern.'
Jeanette Hornsey
Sister, Cardiology Department,
Wythenshawe Hospital, Manchester
Jeanette Hornsey, a Sister in the Cardiology Department at Wythenshawe Hospital in Manchester, was nominated by four patients, including Philip Edbrook of Richmond Crescent, Mossley. During a life-saving operation, Jeanette kept Philip's wife company, allaying her fears and staying after she should have finished work. 'And the next morning Jeanette was in early to be there when I woke up. In short, she was marvellous,' says Philip. Another patient, Ronald Latham of Woburn Drive, Cheshire, praises her work in setting up a patent support group, saying: 'When I have been worried, she has come into the clinic on her day off to see me...There is nothing too much trouble for her, in or out of work time.'
