An incredible specialist nurse who is talented, deeply compassionate and hard-working, and a perfect receptionist who has a natural ability to put people at ease, are the winners of October’s You Made a Difference awards.
Tracy has been working within the Cambridge Clinical Research Centre (CCRC) since 2017 as a receptionist. Tracy registers patient volunteers for our studies, checks them in on our electronic patient record system, Epic, and later discharges them. She has also taken an extra role, going over and above her regular work, to assist with the bookings of our vaccine participants which numbered hundreds of visits at the height of the pandemic. Tracy continues to assist the booking teams with this task, despite her own workload.
Tracy has eagle eyes when it comes to health and safety reporting and is acutely aware of patients’ risks, confidentiality and hazards. Tracy provides training to all new starters on our IT systems and does this with kindness and understanding.
Anne Elmer, matron, commented: “Tracy is an absolute delight to work with. She welcomes every patient and volunteer in a friendly and professional manner, and the patients are delighted with that personal attention. Tracy will always go over and above her role and nothing is too much trouble. She is funny, has a great sense of humour with a delightful laugh. This award is so well deserved and the whole team is clapping and whooping for her!”
Extracts from Tracy’s nomination said:
"Tracy is the absolute epitome of ‘Safe, Kind and Excellent’ and is the perfect receptionist who anyone would be delighted to meet on arrival for an appointment. Tracy has the most welcoming and courteous approach to all those attending the Clinical Research Facility."
“Tracy has a friendly and happy disposition and has a natural ability of being able to put all attendees, and staff, at their ease as soon as they arrive.”
"Tracy is very efficient and thorough with the administration work. Her knowledge about the department, the building, and the people who work there is exceptional.
"She is able to resolve problems quickly. She frequently provides support to the other receptionists in the building, helping them to develop their knowledge and ensuring they work safely.
"Her biggest fan is ‘Finn the Fig’, a huge plant in the communal area, who she also cares for, as he needs spraying with water, and appreciates a little attention!"
“It is clear Tracy is very well-respected by all who work with her and quite rightly so. Tracy is an absolute pleasure to work alongside and is an exemplary team player.”
Manjumol, known as Manju, works as a clinical nurse specialist in the Haemophilia Centre, caring for a large group of patients, as well as their family members, who need help with lifelong medical conditions related to their haemophilia condition. Manju’s role in haemophilia is pivotal to providing comprehensive care to people with haemophilia and related bleeding disorders from across the East of England.
Manju is currently working towards her master’s qualification. Having completed various modules on the master’s pathway over the last 18 months, she is now on her final module with a dissertation to complete. She has managed to pass her recent modules with high grades, whilst caring for her young family, supporting her colleagues and providing outstanding care for her patients.
Manju’s work involves coordinating care with other members of the multidisciplinary team across a range of settings, including hospitals, the community, GPs, schools and patients’ homes. It includes promoting evidence-based care, advocacy and self-management skills for patients. She is able to positively impact someone's life, caring, supporting and educating them from their transition from paediatric services to adult, all the way to their end of life.
Manju is kind, caring and compassionate to her patients and is able to make a difference to their physical, emotional and mental wellbeing.
Extracts from Manju’s nomination from a patient said:
“I am a patient who has been visiting the Haemophilia Clinic for many years and Manju has been an incredible nurse.”
“She has always greeted me warmly and spent time asking me about myself and my children. Manju has always remembered everything I've told her, she communicates and listens beautifully.
“Last year I spent some time in ICU. My veins have become very scarred and blown. Manju is so brilliant, she is able to take bloods from the smallest and most fragile of veins, taking her time to get this procedure right.
“Manju understands my fears and she listens so well always putting me at ease, everything is done slowly and calmly.”
“Manju also makes me smile and laugh and is incredibly encouraging.”
“When I thank her, she always says it makes her happy to do her job well and keep her patients safe, well and happy.”
“I truly do not think I could go ahead with any blood tests without the help of Manju. She has made all the difference in my care.”
“I am blessed to know Manju, and Addenbrooke’s is gifted with a talented, deeply compassionate and hard-working nurse.”