Cardiff & Vale Health Charity is delighted to announce, Sarah Fergusson, has been crowned Health Hero for December.
Sarah was nominated by Geoff Bodman, ex-patient who spent 11 weeks in hospital fighting for his life after contracting coronavirus. Geoff, pictured with Sarah, describes Sarah as just the tonic for patients who was always willing to go the extra mile.
Geoff goes on to say, I would like to nominate Sarah Fergusson who was a nurse on A7 during the pandemic for a Health Hero award. Her friendly approach and jovial attitude coupled with the reassurance of her nursing skills was literally just the tonic for us patients, and she was always willing to go the extra mile. Sarah recognised how “stir crazy” I was going. I’d talk often with her about my wife and family and how much I was missing them. Sarah arranged for me to have my first breath of fresh air in ages by taking me outside to the hospital pond where I set eyes on my wife for the first time since I was admitted to the hospital. A very emotional and beautiful moment for us all. I will be eternally grateful to Nurse Sarah Fergusson. Mostly my time in hospital is remembered for the professional care I received from everyone. My love, my admiration, my gratitude goes to all who looked after me. All the team on the Critical Care department who threw everything at me in a bid to save my life.
Andy Brown, A7 Ward Manager says, Sarah was seconded back to A7, where she had been a senior staff nurse previously, during the first wave of the COVID pandemic. Sarah’s experience and skills were invaluable to the team on A7 in what was an extremely challenging time for all. The care and dedication Sarah showed and continues to show to her patients is second to none, she always looks after her patients with a smile on her face and always engages with the patients to make them feel comfortable and put them at ease particularly as the pandemic was a very frightening experience for many of them. Sara was the driving force behind some of the changes we implemented during the pandemic to improve and enhance the patient experience such as the introduction of a communication board to ensure relatives were contacted daily with an update on their loved ones as visiting was prohibited except in exceptional circumstances. The dignity and care she showed to the patients on A7 were outstanding throughout her time here and she now continues to set an example as a clinical leader within medicine.
Gillian Spinola, Senior Nurse says, I would like to add that Sarah demonstrates the values and behaviours of Cardiff and Vale UHB on a daily basis. Her team and the patients and relatives relate instantly to her kind caring demeaner. Sarah has shown herself to be highly skilled in communication and this is an attribute that has been highlighted by the pandemic. Sarah has worked in many different settings and roles within Medicine during the past 2 years to promote the safety and care of our patients throughout different stages of their illnesses. Sarah is one of those people with a natural ability to put others at ease whilst getting the job done! She well deserved the role of Ward sister, which is where she now sits and I am already hearing positive feedback from her new team on our acute stroke unit at UHW.
Sarah will be Health Hero for the month of December and will receive a treat from sponsors Park Plaza Cardiff. She is delighted with the award nomination.
The Health Hero Award is supported by Cardiff & Vale Health Charity and Park Plaza Cardiff.
If you feel you know someone who has worked tirelessly to help a colleague or patient in healthcare settings throughout Cardiff and Vale University Health Board and deserves recognition then tell let us know about them.
To nominate your Health Hero: Email: fundraising.cav@wales.nhs.uk Nominations must include: Your name, contact details, the nominee’s name and role, plus some words explaining exactly why you think they deserve to be crowned Health Hero.
If you have already nominated someone, they will be automatically entered into the next round for consideration for the award.
Tweet #CAVhealthhero to spread the word and show your support for our fantastic NHS!