Lead Nurses Vikki and Tom at North Middlesex University Hospital NHS Trust have won Cavell Star Awards for going above and beyond in their care.
Deborah Wheeler, retiring Director of Nursing & Midwifery and the rest of the nursing team were keen to recognise Vikki’s and Tom’s dedication to their patients.
Deborah on Vikki,
“Vikki has spent several years working in critical care, and more recently in critical care outreach and patient safety. In addition to this role, she has recently been appointed as the Trust Clinical Lead for Organ Donation (the only Nurse in this role in London). She is also the lead for resuscitation services across the Trust.
“She is passionate about developing staff and patient safety, and works across the whole hospital with regards to implementation of safety initiatives, including auditing the care of critically ill patients. Nothing is too much for Vikki, who is always the first the accept a challenge, particularly with unravelling issues regarding patients with complex and critical health needs, and is highly respected by nursing, medical and management colleagues. She is certainly someone you would want to look after your relatives.”
Deborah on Tom,
“Tom has devoted the last 15 years to working in palliative care across North London, the last 3 of which have been as Lead Nurse for Palliative Care at North Middlesex. After observing, in the early part of his career, that people were not ‘dying well’ in hospital with their choices being acknowledged and time given to adjust to their situation, Tom embarked on his career in palliative care to, in his words ‘make a real difference to people who have advanced disease and are at the end of life, (and to their significant others, family and friends) by delivering care with more compassion and communicating to all concerned to ensure they feel comfortable, safe and valued’
“When you first meet Tom, you immediately feel calm in his presence and feel that he is really listening to you. He is a caring, compassionate individual who doesn’t hesitate to go above & beyond for those people affected by cancer, inclusive of family & friends. With a person centred approach, he prioritises his patients, always advocating on their behalf in sometimes challenging situations in a calm, gentle and confident manner. As North Middlesex serves a very diverse population with differing health, cultural and spiritual needs, his sensitivity makes a real difference. His exceptional clinical knowledge ensures patient receive the best possible palliative care and their end of life wishes are discussed and planned for.
He is open and generous with his knowledge, skills and experience, sharing with colleagues and empowering other professionals, supporting them in dealing with people at the end of life and those challenging conversations which are often necessary.”
Read more about Tom