NHS heroes: Our 2023 Public Choice Award finalists with Cambridge University Hospitals are revealed

Our readers shared with us stories of their care, dedication and professionalism, and today the finalists for our Public Choice Award with Cambridge University Hospitals (CUH) can be revealed.

Both individuals and teams were eligible for the award, and we heard many touching stories of how nurses, doctors and other staff had gone the extra mile at Addenbrooke’s and the Rosie hospitals.

The Public Choice Award forms part of the second CUH Annual Awards and is the sole category to feature public nominations.

Everyone nominated for the award via our website, along with those in the other categories, was celebrated at an event earlier this month, as the Cambridge Independent reported last week.

CUH staff learned yesterday (Tuesday) who has made it on to the shortlist for the internal categories, and today we’re revealing the Public Choice Award finalists who will join them at the awards dinner in September, at which the winners will be announced. Last year, the Motor Neurone Disease Clinic took the award.

Among our finalists are the refractory headache team, who received a host of nominations from our readers.

Patient Rosemary Blake told us she was nominating the team “for their thoughtful, kind and confidence-giving approach to treating my very long-established chronic migraine” and “for the way I feel I have been really listened to”.

Nominators were also able to send a message to those they were nominating – and those messages are all being passed on at CUH.

Rosemary told Dr Anderson and the team: “This was my last hope and with your help that hope is being realised. I treasure each new ‘crystal clear’ day.”

Also on the shortlist is haematology senior consultant Dr Martin Besser, and his team also came in for lots of praise from our readers.

Fudia Samai told us: “He is an extraordinary doctor. He is empathetic, a great communicator, persistent in advocating, caring and kind.”

Edel Furey nominated the palliative care team following the death of her mother, telling us: “Their understanding and kindness can not be underestimated.”

And many nominators picked out the caring work of staff in NICU, the neonatal intensive care unit.

Thanking all those in NICU, and nominating Fiona, Katie Johnston told us: “Her wealth of knowledge and the care she has not only for the babies and parents but for her colleagues too was clear from the time and advice she freely gave to other members of the team.”

Philippa Morris nominated paediatric orthopaedic surgeon Dr Mark Latimer, telling us: “I cannot and would not choose to go anywhere else in the world for my daughter’s treatment. As far as I am concerned, Dr Latimer is one of the best and kindest medical professionals in the world. He brightens up a room, he’s always happy and fun. He talks to the child and explains everything to them so they feel respected and they understand every single process so they don’t worry or fear anything unexpected.”

Roy Clark, from Sawston, nominated physiotherapists Katie Bond, Lydia Wiffen and Jordan Ho, telling us: “Through their diligence and professionalism, the expert physiotherapy and emotional support they continued to provide during my 12-week hospitalisation, I am now able to walk.”

Nurse Linda Underwood was nominated for being “such a thoughtful nurse” who “goes above and beyond” and “always puts patients and staff first”.

And orthopaedic consultant Jakirty Rawal was shortlisted after several nominations praising his remarkable skills.

Ray Latimer, from Huntingdon, praised him for the treatment he gave his wife, telling us: “Jai Rawal was outstanding in discovering the fractures and skilfully finding a way of fixing them.”

GI oncology nurse Kate Nolan also made the shortlist.

Peter Clyne told us of her “good humour and a high level of professional knowledge” and praised the group sessions she set up to help cancer patients share experiences and tips, and prevent isolation.

Editor Paul Brackley said: “We would like to congratulate all of the finalists, and thank our readers for sharing stories of their care and professionalism. It was wonderful to see so many nominations. They are a real tribute to the work that goes on every day at Cambridge University Hospitals.”

The shortlist

- Refractory headache team
- Dr Martin Besser, haematology senior consultant
- Palliative care team, CUH
- NICU – Mercy Agoh Dorman, Terri Feary, Fiona Walford, Melanie Collett, Ivy Del La Cruz.
- Dr Mark Latimer, paediatric orthopaedic surgeon
- Physiotherapists Katie Bond, Lydia Wiffen and Jordan Ho
- Linda Underwood, nurse
- Jakirty Rawal, orthopaedic consultant
- Kate Nolan, GI oncology nurse