Kerry receives award for going ‘above and beyond’

Healthcare assistant Kerry Thornton has won a dazzling national medal for providing outstanding care to patients as well as being a brilliant team player.

Kerry receives award for going ‘above and beyond’

The dedicated HCA who works at Wallingford Community Hospital has been presented with a Cavell Star Award – an inspiring national awards programme that recognises nurses, nursing associates and healthcare assistants who shine bright and show exceptional care to their colleagues, patients and patient families.

Kerry who joined Oxford Health five years ago said: “I love being a carer. I feel blessed that I’m giving good care and that everyone sees that.”

She was stunned when she was handed her medal, pin badge and certificate in a surprise presentation.  “I didn’t expect it at all, “ she said. “We were in a safety briefing from the night shift and then suddenly I was being presented with an award!”

Kerry was secretly nominated for the award by staff nurse Harriet Mullins who is so impressed by her teammate’s skills, work ethic and attitude: “Kerry always goes above and beyond for her patients and works amazingly as part of the team.”

“She recently organised a movie afternoon for the patients complete with popcorn. She gives 110% to everyone she meets and has so much love for her patients it inspires everyone around her.”

Marie Crofts, Oxford Health’s Chief nurse, commented: “The Cavell Awards are a wonderful way to celebrate those colleagues who go the extra mile for each other and their patients every day. Kerry is a such a deserving winner and I want to thank her for her fantastic service to patients and for upholding our Trust values of being caring, safe and excellent with such skill, dedication and enthusiasm. Well done. She really is a star.”

Kerry, who lives in Cholsey, was a carer for a relative before joining the NHS. A visiting Oxford Health district nurse encouraged her into her vocation as a healthcare assistant and she’s never looked back.

You can nominate someone for a Cavell Star Award by visiting www.cavellstarawards.org

And if you’d like to join Oxford Health as a valued care worker like Kerry, please visit our careers website for the latest opportunities. We have several vacancies in community and inpatient settings.

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Published: 28 July 2020