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:
- Tara Walters, Staff nurse, intensive care unit
- Jenny Pool, Lead nurse, paediatric respiratory
Winner – Tara Walters
Tara Walters was nominated by the relative of a patient who became very ill and needed a liver transplant just before Christmas. The patient was admitted to the CUH intensive care unit (ICU), and her family were told it was becoming increasingly difficult to keep her well enough to have a transplant. Tara, who was the patient’s nurse that day, told the family “We won’t give up on her” which provided such reassurance they felt she could be in no better place.
Thankfully the patient had the transplant and is now doing well. In Tara’s nomination for this award, the relative said that her simple sentence made such a difference when they had “reached their lowest point.”
Grace Roa, ICU senior sister, said: “Tara has made a significant contribution to improving the quality of care.” Her work involves caring for critically ill patients who require close observation but also advocating for patients and providing support to them and their families.
Tara’s dedication, initiative and commitment to professional development reflect the values of compassionate and high-quality patient care.
Winner – Jenny Pool
Jenny Pool joined CUH in May 1992 and has been nominated for her “extraordinary career” as she retires from her role as the lead nurse for the paediatric respiratory team.
Jenny played a pivotal role in establishing the paediatric respiratory clinical nurse specialist (CNS) service, which has now grown into a large regional team providing care for a wide range of patients.
Jenny has cared for children with asthma, including those whose condition is difficult to manage, and the nomination for this award said that she has made a “profound difference to this patient group.”
Emma Lally, paediatric matron, said:
Jenny is a true expert in this field and has been able to transform the lives of the children and young people in her care. What Jenny doesn’t know about asthma is not worth knowing!
During Jenny’s time leading the service, the team has expanded to include nine CNSs and a dedicated research nurse. Emma added that Jenny has worked above and beyond every day, “leading, supporting and advocating for her team to ensure they all flourish.”
The nomination for this award concluded “we are very proud of Jenny and her many accomplishments; we will miss her greatly.”