There were 53 nominations considered for November's award.

 

The winners were Linda Allars, medical secretary, and Undrea Cuthill, admissions coordinator.

 

Linda Allars

Linda joined CUH 25 years ago. She has been medical secretary to Mr Declan Flanagan for the past 15 years and to Dr Shuaib Nasser for eleven years.

 

Linda Allars, surrounded by her colleagues

 

Linda's main duties as a medical secretary include typing, arranging meetings, and telephone contact with GPs, other health professionals - and with patients, sorting out their worries and queries.

 

She received her first YMD nomination in July of this year from a patient who said Linda was "so helpful on the phone."

 

Her second nomination came from another patient who also happens to work here. Jacqueline Blundell, Hospital Play Specialist at the Western Centre, commented:

 

"Linda was such a help when I had to have treatment at a London Hospital. I had to have blood taken at Addenbrooke's once a week and the results had to get to London by a certain time. She organised the blood forms so they were always ready on time and stayed late several times to wait for the results so she could fax them over. She was always so polite, friendly and I never felt I was inconveniencing her, though I'm sure I was. She always called to let me know the results had been sent and this helped to reassure and calm me."

 

Presenting the award was Dr Archer, who stated:

 

"You Made a Difference is our most successful scheme for recognising people who have demonstrated the Trust values of kind, safe and excellent - and for those who make such a difference to our patients. Linda is a worthy winner of this hotly contested award."

 

Speaking of her achievement, Linda said: "This really was a lovely surprise. We are a small unit and we all work well together. I feel flattered to have been picked out of a team that all work so hard.

 

"Thank you – I really appreciate it."

 

Undrea Cuthill

 

Undrea joined the James Paget Hospital in Great Yarmouth in 1984, and moved to CUH's oncology department in 1996 to take on the role of prepping clerk in the radiotherapy library.

 

She soon progressed to become assistant supervisor and then library supervisor, before joining the oncology day unit in January 2000. Here she started a new role as admissions coordinator for the department.

 

Undrea is responsible for managing waiting lists and admissions for patients attending for treatment, scheduling appointments on the Aria e-scheduling system, as well as providing an efficient clerical service to the unit.

 

In addition to her You Made a Difference award, Undrea also received an 'Over and Above' award in 2006 for 'reducing anxiety experienced by patients with her exceptional front of house and customer care skills.'

 

Under the YMD scheme, Undrea had received four nominations.

 

Her first was from a visitor who said that Undrea was "always helpful and cheerful. A warm and friendly greeting every time."

 

In April this year, a patient wrote in to say: "When having chemo, it is a very tiring time, but as soon as you get to the reception desk you are met by a very caring, smiling Undrea. It makes such a difference to your visits. She is a gem."

 

Another patient commented that Undrea was "efficient, pleasant and very responsive to patients needs."

 

Her winning nomination however, came in from a patient, which read:

 

"Faced with a terrified and phobic patient, Undrea arranged every visit so that I was sited in an area where I could comfortably cope with the treatment and to the best of her ability she has consistently been able to put me at ease in an environment where I am most unhappy. I can honestly say that without her understanding and compassion I don't think I would have had the strength to go through this treatment."

 

Linda Bavister, senior sister of the chemotherapy day unit, said on behalf of the department: "Undrea takes her role very seriously and enjoys her job very much; especially the contact with patients and knowing that the dedication she gives to her role ensures that patients are treated on time.

We are proud that Undrea has been chosen for this award and believe it to be well deserved. Congratulations from us all."

 

On receiving her award, Undrea thanked all who had nominated her, saying:

 

"I see all of the patients that I interact with as my friends – I really do care about them. I love everything about my job and enjoy it very much.

 

"I am so grateful for this award."

 

 

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The other nominations for November 2011 were:

 

Nicola Adams, Research Support Assistant, Clinical Investigation Ward
for supporting the team and delivering a fantastic service to the participants on the Clinical Investigations Ward

 

Linda Bavister, Senior Sister, Oncology Day Unit
for providing support and kindness

 

Karen Bond, HCA, Clinical Oncology
for all her hard work and 'going the extra mile'

 

Grace Bryan, Junior Sister, Dialysis Unit
for being very kind and bringing to the unit a hopeful and cared about atmosphere for long-term patients

 

Terry Carter, Cardiac Physiologist, Cardiology
for reassuring a patient that they were in the right place and then performing and explaining the scan process clearly

 

Halina Chambers, Administrator Assistant, C2
for always being kind and helpful which helps families and children feel at ease

 

Sarah Cox, Staff Nurse, Paediatrics
for being very attentive, polite and observant which kept a family at ease

 

Brian Creet, Desktop support Administrator, IT
for helping a department fix a laptop in a timely manner

Clare Disney, Staff Nurse, Clinical Oncology
for working very hard to deal with audits and other tasks so professionally

 

Teresa Doyle, Staff Nurse, G3
for purchasing two special cups enabling high risk patients meet their fluid needs

 

Anna Edwards, HCA, C6
for being kind, caring and volunteering to help

 

James Fincham, Customer Service Administrator, Media Studio
for making a huge difference to the department by being extremely understanding, keen to help and always working with a smile

 

Dr Helen Firth, Consultant, Clinical Genetics
for being a kind and supportive colleague and for showing such empathy towards patients

 

Nicola Folland, Junior Sister, A5
for being very helpful, supportive and reassuring to a patient after they had fainted

 

Gillian Gibbs, Medical Physiotherapy Assistant, Physiotherapy
for being supportive, encouraging and showing a great enthusiasm for work

 

Jane Goodridge, Junior Sister, N3
for providing exceptional support to the department and for stepping in to manage the ward in her manager's absence

 

John Griffiths, Car Driver (Volunteer), Transport
for being very kind by willingly returning to the hospital to collect another patient in need of transport

 

Dr Gail Horan, Consultant Clinical, Oncology
for showing such kindness, patience and understanding which helped allay the patient's fears of being in hospital

 

Jenny Jennings, Staff Nurse, Haemodialysis (5 nominations)
for being caring, helpful and approachable to every patient, relative and colleague

 

Jeannette Jessop, HCA, C6
for putting a patient at ease and calming them down

 

Edna Kouzel, Clinical Leader, Main Theatres
for being instrumental to the development of a new scheduler for theatres

 

Helen Lines, Personal Assistant, Clinical Oncology
for carefully checking and questioning all invoices

Helio (Bruno) Mendes, Housekeeper, Medirest (3 nominations)
for always smiling and for being kind, considerate and respectful

 

Myasha Muza, Junior Sister, PSSU (D5)
for lighting up the ward with her smile and for treating patients with great respect

 

Rachel Nicholas, Sonographer, Rosie Ultrasound
for being kind and professional during a scan at the Rosie

 

Freda Pilsworth, Clerical Officer, Radiotherapy Dept
for always being cheerful and helpful

 

Latchmawattie Raghubans, Senior Radiographer, Cambridge Breast Unit
for demonstrating exceptional fundraising skills which raised a substantial amount of money for the Cambridge Breast Unit

 

Scott Richardson, Radiographer, Clinical Oncology
for making a patient feel special by being calm, caring and compassionate

 

Jurgen Runnacles, HCA, Lewin Stroke & Rehab Unit
for providing fantastic care

 

Sheila Shorter, HCA, N3 (4 nominations)
for demonstrating an exceptionally caring approach to relatives and for helping a patient to feel at ease by showing respect and maintaining their dignity at all times

 

Sally Smith, Junior Sister, L4
for being instinctive, kind and caring to both patient and their relatives

 

Helen Thompson, Practice Development Nurse, Day Surgery Unit
for making a patient's day comfortable

 

Dawn Tilling, Ward Clerk, K3 (2 nominations)
for being extremely helpful, calm and professional and also for being inspirational and positive about her role

 

Josheb Tolosi, Staff Nurse, ATC Recovery
for being very supportive, calm and sensitive during a patient's recovery

 

Luke Williams, Staff Nurse, A4
for being bright, kind and caring to everyone

 

Marc Wiseman, Quality Assurance Manager, Clinical Oncology
for always being patient, approachable and willing to listen

 

Dr Sancho Wong, Speciality Registrar, Addenbrooke's Rehabilitation Clinic
for being kind, polite and explaining things clearly

 

Clarence Yapo, Staff Nurse, PSSU (D5)
for being professional, respectful and friendly

 

 

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