Since 2009, You Make a Difference has celebrated the contribution to excellent patient care by CUH members of staff.
More than a thousand nominations are received every year from the public, colleagues and the community, and we are proud to share the stories of this month’s winners:
- Frances Dye – midwife, Sara ward
- Andy Bailey – operations manager
- Home therapies team
Winner – Frances Dye
Frances received several nominations from a patient and her family in recognition of the maternity care she provided during what they described as the most difficult time of their lives.
In her nomination, the patient said they didn’t know if their baby was going to survive. Frances “advocated for us every step of the way, not leaving any details out, chasing everything that needed to be chased and taking care of my family whilst we waited to hear the news.”
France was on a day shift when the patient had a c-section and their baby girl was born. The baby was given Frances as her middle name because “one day I hope she makes the difference to someone’s life that Frances made to ours.”
The baby’s grandmother described Frances as a “truly special midwife” who will “hold a place in all of our hearts forever.”
Frances said she feels privileged to be with women and their families at such a momentous time in their lives and will do all that she can to support them.
Winner – Andy Bailey
Since Autumn 2025, Andy Bailey has led a complex project to repurpose a CUH ward for patients at the end of their lives. He was nominated for this award for his “outstanding leadership and commitment” of this project.
Transforming the ward was a significant undertaking, involving estates planning and redesign, public engagement and bringing together teams from the hospital and beyond. The nomination for the award said Andy showed “compassion, vision and the ability to bring people together around a shared purpose.”
The ward, T2 The Willows, opened in June and offers patients and their families more choice, comfort and support at this important stage of care. Dr Sian Coggle, interim divisional director, said Andy “took time to listen to differing views and opinions and was sensitive in his response which gained positive feedback from our patients and wider community.”
Andy’s leadership was aligned with kind, safe and excellent care, the nomination said. T2 The Willows will have a “lasting and meaningful impact on patients and families during some of their most vulnerable times.” Andy’s dedication has helped to create an “environment that will really make a difference.”
Winners - home therapies team
The home therapies team provides specialist training, education and ongoing support to patients across the region with stage 5 kidney disease who are receiving dialysis care at home.
Lauren Burgess, senior charge nurse and team lead, said they recognised that “while home dialysis offers greater independence, it can also be an isolating experience. Many of our patients have limited opportunities to meet others who truly understand the challenges of living with kidney disease.”
In May the team set up the Kidney Bean Cafe, a regular coffee morning to bring patients together in a relaxed and welcoming environment. The aim is to reduce social isolation, combat emotional burnout and provide a space where patients can share experiences, offer encouragement and build lasting friendships.
The nomination for the team’s You Make a Difference award said the cafe was extremely well attended and received very positive feedback from patients.
It is a thoughtful development in patient care, demonstrating genuine compassion, creativity and a strong commitment to improving patient experience.
As well as members of the multidisciplinary renal team, including a dietitian, counsellor and social worker, representatives from Addenbrooke’s Kidney Patients Association and Kidney Research UK attended, providing comprehensive support for patients.
The nomination said the Kidney Bean Cafe has “real potential to make a lasting positive impact on patients’ wellbeing.”