When Catherine was six she received a nurse’s uniform for Christmas as she’d always wanted to become a nurse when she grew up. Family members and situations helped make up her mind.
“My Grandmother also wanted to be a nurse but she wasn’t able to be because she’d had a child. That wasn’t the way you could get into nursing during the 1930’s. My mum also had health problems and got great care from the NHS.”
Catherine had her nurse training place ready before she was 16 and qualified as a nurse a few years later in 1985. She’s now in the 36th year of her career and has a huge amount of experience.
She’s worked in primary and secondary care, community care and for a mental health trust. She’s also gained experience working for commissioning groups and for a health authority, as well as for NHS England and NHS Improvement. Her current role is Chief Nurse at Homerton University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust.
“I’ve worked in clinical quality roles and leadership roles. I’ve seen nursing and midwifery in all its glory!” says Catherine.
“Nursing can give you everything. You can be there at the beginning of life, the end of life and everything in between. Every day is different and your ability to make a difference to somebody’s life is immense.”
Catherine was nominated for a Cavell Star Award for going above and beyond for her colleagues. Paediatric Project Nurse and colleague Katherine Waldock explains,
“Catherine shows the staff at the Homerton so much compassion and care. She is so kind, and willing to listen to what the staff have to say. Even with her workload she will make time to support you, make things work and when dealing with stressful non-work situations will help you get through them so that you are able to function and survive.
“She is an inspiration and her dedication to the entire nursing team, the hospital and the families that use the service shines through.”
Catherine reacted to winning her Cavell Star Award,
“It was lovely and the fact that it was noticed, particularly during the pandemic of the last 12 months, makes me feel I’m doing something right! Sometimes it’s hard to know if you’re taking care of your workforce so when someone takes the time to recognise you then it’s very humbling.
“I’m blessed with a great nursing and midwifery workforce here at Homerton, they are absolutely amazing. The pandemic has been a really tough time for all staff but they’ve stood together so they make my job as a leader much easier. They’re working incredibly hard for patients and for each other, they’re all stars really!”
Catherine continues, “The Cavell Star Awards are a great way to say thank you to colleagues and knowing that you can celebrate your peers in this way is really good for the nursing profession.”