Published on: 7 July 2020
A healthcare worker at Sunderland Royal Hospital has been honoured through a national awards programme that recognises nurses, midwives and healthcare assistants who show exceptional care to patients and their families, and to their colleagues.
A healthcare worker at Sunderland Royal Hospital has been honoured through a national awards programme that recognises nurses, midwives and healthcare assistants who show exceptional care to patients and their families and to their colleagues.
Healthcare assistant, Laura Surtees is now the proud holder of the Cavell Star Award after she was nominated by acting elderly care ward sister, Rachael Craggs.
At the height of the coronavirus pandemic, Laura collected donations from family and friends to put together care packs for patients containing everything from toiletries to crossword puzzles, and pamper packs for her colleagues, including hand cream, lip balm and inspirational quotes.
Laura, 26, of Sunderland, said: “Patients were being rushed in and they weren’t allowed visitors so they didn’t have some of the essentials and it was a stressful time for patients and staff so I just thought it would be good for them all to be given something nice.”
Rachael said: “Laura consistently goes above and beyond to provide exceptional care and her thoughtfulness during the pandemic is just one example of that. If your family member was coming in to hospital, Laura is the person you’d want looking after them. She always has a smile and does everything she can to make her patients comfortable and they love her for it.”
Laura has worked as a healthcare assistant at Sunderland Royal Hospital for six years, spending the majority of that time on the E51 older persons ward. She followed in the footsteps of her mum, Lisa Surtees, who is a healthcare assistant in Maternity.
She said: “I grew up seeing her doing the job and I really enjoy it because I love caring for the patients. I get so much satisfaction when they get better and I know I have looked after them to the best of my ability.”
Laura had no idea she had even been nominated for the award and when she found out that she had won, she burst into tears.
She said: “It was overwhelming but really lovely. Caring for the patients is the important thing but it is so nice to know that your work is appreciated.”
The charity Cavell Nurses’ Trust launched the Cavell Star Awards in 2018 in partnership with LloydsPharmacy Clinical Homecare. Nursing and midwifery teams throughout the UK are encouraged to nominate a special teammate who has shown exceptional care for either their colleagues or their patients and patients’ families. Each Cavell Star Award winner receives a medal, presentation case and pin badge.
John Orchard, Chief Executive at Cavell Nurses’ Trust, said: “Cavell Nurses’ Trust is here for nurses when they’re in a crisis, so we are really excited that the Cavell Star Award is proving so successful at boosting morale for nursing and midwifery teams working extremely hard in very challenging situations.”
Healthcare professionals wishing to nominate a nurse, midwife or healthcare assistant for a Cavell Star Award can find out more at https://www.cavellstarawards.org
