Nursing Associate Debra Gilbert from Latham House Medical Practice has won a Cavell Star Award for going above and beyond for her patients.
Head of Clinical Services Sarah Culpan explains why Debra is such a deserving winner.
“Debra has worked at Latham House for over 10 years. She started on reception, developed her skills a an HCA and more recently qualified as a Nursing Associate. In this time I have had the pleasure of line managing Debra, supporting her through her preceptorship and watching her continue to grow and develop into the clinician she is today.
“Debra has been pivotal in developing our services for patients and families living with Dementia and Learning disabilities. She was given the role of delivering a complex care clinic to this cohort of patients. Starting from scratch, Debra has set up successful clinics that endeavour to provide a one stop shop to deliver holistic care to the population.
“Debra has the ability to teach others with ease and in a manner that oozes compassion. These skills and abilities will help form and build our growing workforce and embed the high standards required to continue to deliver a high level of service provision to our patients living with complex care needs.”
Debra reacted to winning her Cavell Star Award.
“I felt so very honoured to have been nominated and to receive this award. I have so many patients who stop me in the surgery and congratulate me on my achievement it really is humbling.
“When I first started my training as a nursing associate my one goal was to aspire to be just like the nursing team at my practice. They were my inspiration to carry on when I felt like giving up, they were my support network and still are. Our job is evolving all the time, and we face many challenges and pressures but knowing that the nursing team in the practice fully support each other makes the job a worthwhile one.
“We would not be anywhere without everyone’s input, including cleaners, administration, reception team, HCA’s, GP’s and management, and I thank them every day for their help, they are my ‘work family’.”