Lead Cancer Nurse Helen Thomas has won a Cavell Star Award for outstanding leadership after colleagues at the Countess of Chester Hospital described her as an “inspiration”.
Helen, who has been a nurse for 35 years, was nominated for the strong leadership and support she provides towards caring for patients with cancer and those who are palliative. With 2020 being International Year of the Nurse and Midwife the team arranged a special celebration for Helen, having kept her award a secret for weeks.
“It’s amazing to be put forward for the Cavell Star Award because you come to work and think you’re just doing your job,” Helen said. “I started training as a nurse 35 years ago and I’m still learning every day. I’m proud to be a nurse and I want to support others, so I’m really pleased to be recognised for that. I just think I’m fortunate enough to lead a fantastic group of cancer nurses at The Countess.”
The Cavell Star Awards programme, which is run by the Cavell Nurses’ Trust, rewards nurses, midwives, nursing associates and healthcare assistants who show exceptional care towards colleagues, patients or patients’ families.
Having worked alongside Helen for eight years, Clinical Nurse Specialist Alison Taylor saw the award as an opportunity to show Helen how much she is appreciated.
“Helen is a role model, she’s an inspiration,” Alison said. “When I read about the Cavell Star Award I thought it was a fantastic opportunity to show how much we value her support. She’s our go-to person and her experience in cancer care both in the hospital and the wider system is invaluable to The Countess.”
Director of Nursing and Quality, Alison Kelly, said: “Helen is an outstanding nurse and she is a very deserving winner of this award. I am delighted that as we celebrate 2020 being the International Year of the Nurse and Midwife someone like Helen is being highlighted in this way. It’s really important that all nursing staff take a moment to stop and reflect on the impact they have and this is especially true for someone like Helen who quietly performs a role that is extremely important and highly valued by all of us at The Countess.”