Hospice Nurses awarded for their outstanding care in the community

August 30, 2024

There was a buzz of excitement (and a few tears) in the Arthur Rank Hospice Bistro on Wednesday 31 July as District Nurse Sister, Michaela Hill, Community Nursing Sister, Gemma Powell from the North City District Nursing team and Sarah Pake, Clinical Nurse Specialist were awarded a well-deserved Cavell Star Award.

The Cavell Star Awards is a national programme which ‘awards nurses, midwives, nursing associates and healthcare assistants who shine bright and show exceptional care to their colleagues, their patients or their patients’ families’.

Michaela was joined by her mum and Gemma was accompanied by her husband and seven year old son, who all sat proudly listening to Clinical Nurse Specialist, Sarah Pake whilst she explained why her two highly skilled and compassionate colleagues were nominated for the award:

“Both Michaela and Gemma have been exceptional. They are professional and deliver a very high standard of care. They are calm and offer reassurance when needed. They have worked incredibly hard to gain a recent patient’s trust and built a beautiful rapport with her. They worked with me and were happy to follow my plan seeking help and guidance when needed. They have both been tested and pushed to the very limits of their comfort zone, and they have both done this, week after week, without complaining and always with a smile.

It is so reassuring to see Nurses who genuinely care, and these two genuinely do care. The compassion and empathy they have shown to an incredibly complex patient, with incredibly challenging needs has been really humbling. They epitomise District Nursing and are a real credit to their team.

Supporting a patient with such a high level of need was always going to be challenging the for the entire District Nursing Team, in particular Michaela and Gemma, who have been absolutely outstanding throughout.

The patient had always been very clear that she wanted to die in her own home, asleep in her own bed. She got her wish, thanks to the dedication of these Nurses.”

Sarah continued:

“These Nurses are under a huge amount of pressure with ever increasing demands on an already stretched service. I really want to express my gratitude to them both by nominating them for an award that I really feel they are both deserving of.”

Paul Steiner, from Cavell Trust commented:

“They are both such important parts of the North City District Nursing Team in Cambridgeshire, what amazing people to have as colleagues!

They are such worthy winners for their dedication and commitment to their patients, ensuring they are always supported and listened to and striving to provide the best care possible through compassion and excellence, sometimes in difficult circumstances. What inspirations they are.”

At the end of her heartfelt presentation to Michaela and Gemma, Sarah was surprised by Carly Wills, Matron of Clinical Services, who had also secretly nominated her for her amazing care and support to her patients and colleagues and presented Sarah with her own Cavell Trust Award.

Carly concluded:

“This is a real example of how well the system can work together for the best outcome for the patient. It was important that we recognised Sarah’s role in supporting this patient to enable them to have the end of life care that they wished and also the support that she provided both Michela and Gemma to provide the best care they could as well. I am so proud of them all and of what was achieved – keeping the patients wishes at the forefront at all times.”

Michaela, Gemma and Sarah enjoyed a celebratory Afternoon Tea in the Bistro along with CEO, Sharon Allen, Sara Robins, Clinical Services Director/Deputy CEO, Carly Wills, Matron of Clinical Services and Natasha Edwards, Area Nurse Manager, Cambridge North City and North Villages.

Arthur Rank Hospice Charity has a growing team of people who are regularly recognised by the Cavell Trust Awards. In 2020 Gemma Irvine and Katie Williams received an award for going above and beyond in the Living Well Service. In 2022 Jenny Oakes was recognised for her extra support to colleagues on the Inpatient Unit and in 2023 Faith Macrow also joined this exceptional group of people.

If you would like to join the team at Arthur Rank Hospice please visit https://careers.arhc.org.uk/