Our Public Choice Award finalists with Cambridge University Hospitals are revealed as readers tell of their remarkable care
The shortlist for our Public Choice Award with Cambridge University Hospitals can now be revealed.
We asked our readers to put forward an individual or team for recognition as part of the inaugural annual CUH awards.
The Public Choice Award is designed to acknowledge the kindness, compassion and extraordinary care displayed by staff across Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, which runs Addenbrooke’s and the Rosie hospitals.
And we were inundated with entries, submitted via our website.
Below we reveal the shortlist and, in this week’s Cambridge Independent, we feature a four-page special telling the incredible stories of care and compassion from our finalists, and a selection of other nominees, along with a complete list of all those nominated by our readers.
Editor Paul Brackley said: “Thank you to everyone who took the time to nominate to our Public Choice Award with Cambridge University Hospitals.
“We were overwhelmed by the response and were sent so many incredible stories of how staff at CUH have made a huge difference to patients and their families, not just through their skills and expertise, but through their devotion and kindness.
“The task of judging the shortlist with CUH was exceptionally difficult, but this award is a celebration of everyone that has provided excellent care during a time that has been so challenging for all healthcare professionals. It is wonderful to play a part in saying a big thank you to them from the community.”
Paul and news editor Gemma Gardner joined CUH chairman Mike More and CUH director of corporate affairs Ian Walker in an online presentation to about 85 CUH colleagues last Friday, celebrating the shortlist. Everyone who made a nomination was asked to include a message for the individual or team they were putting forward. Cambridge University Hospitals is passing on all of these messages to the nominees, along with a certificate in recognition of their nomination.
Ian said: “We are incredibly grateful for the phenomenal support we have received from the Cambridge Independent, and its readers, for the Public Choice category. Their stories about the care and compassion received by patients at CUH are heart-warming, and a huge boost to staff who have worked so hard during these difficult times.”
The Public Choice Award was the only category open to public nomination in the CUH awards, which are supported by Addenbrooke’s Charitable Trust.
Last week we revealed the shortlist in all the other categories and you can find them all here.
Below are the five shortlisted for the Public Choice Award.
The finalists in all the categories will go forward to an awards ceremony in September, where the winners will be revealed.
Public Choice Award - the finalists
JVF Intensive Care Unit (ICU) team
Mel Ellingham, of Linton, told us how the JVF ICU team cared for her mum during the pandemic, keeping the family in touch daily and helping her communicate via an iPad, and preventing her from catching Covid.
In a personal message to them, Mel said: “My family are eternally grateful for all you have done and still doing for Mum.Your kindness and compassion will never be forgotten.You are all angels in disguise!”
Alex Colquhoun, consultant urologist
Laurence Henry, from Shefford in Bedfordshire, nominated Alex, telling us how she was an enormous comfort to his dad as he faced cancer during the pandemic.
He said: “Alex spent time I’m sure she didn’t really have, and made such an effort to be there for Dad as far more than a consultant, but as a gentle, sensitive, supportive shoulder, able to lend an ear and gentle hand.”
In his personal message to Alex, Laurence wrote: “Thank you so much once again, Alexandra. I am forever comforted knowing that while I was unable to be with Dad much due to Covid, he had your care, support, and ear to comfort him. Eternally grateful.”
Motor Neurone Disease (MND) team
The MND team from Addenbrooke’s, which runs a clinic at Arthur Rank Hospice, had a huge number of nominations, praising their kindness and the extraordinary effort to go “above and beyond” to help patients.
In one nomination, Tracy Woods, from St Neots, said: “Every single person who is within the MND team is kind, caring and helpful. Dr Roberts is caring and compassionate while managing to be truthful and realistic. He always listens to me and finds the medication to make me feel a little better or manage my constantly changing symptoms.”
And Munja Veja, from Cambridge, in a personal message to the MND team, wrote: “Thank you for everything you have done for us, you never let us feel like we were alone in this and that is truly precious. You truly deserve the award as recognition for your tremendous work.”
Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) team
There were several nominations for NICU and its staff.
Leah Lewis, from Letchworth, told how NICU cared for her son, Ostyn, after he had life-saving bowel surgery shortly after birth.
“For the following week an outstanding team of doctors and nurses cared for our son. The nurses were amazing and one nurse, Hannah Davy, looked after Ostyn several times. Her persona, understanding, support and exceptional care made our experience a thousand times easier.”
In her personal message, she wrote: “Dear NICU staff, without your unwavering dedication to your roles we wouldn’t have a thriving three month old baby. We will always be eternally grateful and we will always remember you. Thank you.”
Isobel Riches, midwife at Rosie Hospital
Isobel Riches was nominated by several people.
Annalisa Ross, from Hauxton, told us: “Izzy took care of me during such a scary and delicate moment of my life when I had to go into hospital to have my baby whilst Covid positive.
“Izzy’s care was exemplary and exceptional. Although I could not see her mouth, Izzy’s eyes were so expressive that I was able to understand when she was smiling. Her positive, reassuring attitude combined with her incredible midwifery skills and caring nature made the whole birthing process a truly amazing experience that I will forever treasure.”
Rebecca Griggs, from Lavenham in Suffolk, in a personal message to Isobel, wrote: “Thank you Izzy for your kindness, compassion, friendliness and being the best person we could have wished for. You are an amazing midwife and a credit to the Rosie. Myself and Rich will never forget you.”
Lorna Wickens, from Newmarket, told Izzy: “Isobel, you will always be a part of my life, you delivered Poppy who was too special for this world and went out of your way to add the magic touch to the birth of Millie. I will never forget you.”
Read more of Izzy’s story here.
- Look out for our four-page special on the nominees and what our readers told us about them, along with the full list of all those individuals and teams put forward, in this week’s Cambridge Independent.
