Health service heroes honoured
NHS Heros: from left, Sister Jean Craddock, Office Administrator Hazel Wright, Health Care Assistant Cheryl Eaton, Dr Gail Walton GP and Chief officer Erewash CCG Rakesh Marwaha
Patients and co-workers have singled out four NHS workers out of hundreds who they think are ‘unsung heroes’ in Ilkeston.
A GP, two nurses and a member of back room admin staff scooped Erewash’s first ever NHS Heroes Awards, presented last week.
Three winners – Dr Gail Walton, administrator Hazel Wright and nurse practitioner Jean Craddock – work at Ilkeston’s largest surgery Littlewick Medical Centre in Nottingham Road. While nurse Cheryl Eaton is from tiny Eden Surgery in Cavendish Road.
Patient Rebecca Hindson was there to see her nominee – Dr Gail Walton – presented with her award at Littlewick.
“She listens to what I have to say,” said Rebecca, who suffers from cerebral palsy.
Five years ago the civil servant was told she would never walk again but she credits the hard work of Dr Walton for ensuring she has never had to use a wheelchair.
“She made a massive difference to me and encourages me even when I do daft things,” she said.
Rebecca appeared in the Advertiser last month as she was about to embark on a challenge which will see her walk, swim and cycle 2012.5 miles this year to raise money for Littlewick’s patient participation group.
Fellow workers said that Littlewick would simply not function without Hazel Wright.
“For me Hazel embodies the heart and soul of Littlewick – always positive, cheerful and helpful,” said practice manager Diane Perry.
One nomination slip read: ‘It is not an understatement to say that we owe my father’s life to the initiative shown by Cheryl Eaton,’ after her quick-thinking and care diagnosed a patient with prostate cancer before it could become a killer.
Cheryl said it was ‘fabulous’ to be nominated.
And modest Jean Craddock, who has worked at Littlewick for 21 years, said: “It’s a little bit embarrassing to be singled out because you feel like part of a team.
“But it is nice to be recognised.”
Presenting the awards, Erewash CCG chief operating officer Rakesh Marwaha, said: “I’m really glad to see so many awards in this area – they really are unsung heroes.
“I’m really, really pleased for them – long may their hard work continue.”
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Weather for Ilkeston
Wednesday 19 June 2013
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