Children’s nurse Avril Archibald has received a Cavell Star Award for going above and beyond for her patients at Leicestershire Partnership NHS Trust.
Julie Potts, Children’s Community Palliative Care Lead Nurse and colleague explains why Avril is a worthy winner,
“Avril started nursing more than 45 years ago and is due to retire in November. It would be amazing for her to be recognised for her continued contribution to nursing in the NHS over the years.
“Twenty-five years ago Avril moved from hospital roles to set up a respite service for children with complex nursing needs to allow families a much needed break from the burden of caring for a child with many needs. She set up a team and developed them to be able to deliver a high standard of nursing care.
“The respite team joined other professionals providing care to children in the community and formed the Diana Community Children’s Service to support more children, young people and their families within Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland. Today the service provides Macmillan nursing, continuing care, Respiratory Physiotherapy, Child and Family Support, Training, Special Schools Nursing and multicultural support.
“Avril has built up such lovely relationships with the children and families she cares for. They all love Avril and she manages to have an really positive impact on them. I remember Avril meeting one little girl and she subsequently asked ‘where’s Avril’ every visit. A little boy with complex needs visited our office recently and was only interested in finding Avril’s desk, she was on her day off and he wasn’t impressed!
“Avril has an impact on the team she supports and everyone has a soft spot for her and she is definitely the ‘matriarch’ if the team. She definitely has a sense of looking after her team and is extremely proud to manage them. Everyone loves her ‘Fruit Fridays’ when she turns up with fruit for the team.
“The whole service is proud of Avril’s lifetime dedication to nursing, in particular to children and young people with complex needs and she will be leaving a lasting legacy as she retires.”
Read more about Avril
“Avril receives a Cavell Star award” Leicestershire Partnership NHS Trust website