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NHS Champions: Help us to recognise the heroes of the NHS
Sophie Goodchild14 Oct 2008
Ward sister Emma Allcott has helped hundreds of patients learn to walk again after losing their limbs.
It is a job requiring incredible patience and compassion. But colleagues and those treated by the nurse on Luke Ward at Guy's and St Thomas' Hospital say she is an exceptional care giver.
The hard work of staff like 32-year-old Ms Allcott is not often celebrated within the NHS. This is why the Evening Standard has launched NHS Champions so you can nominate the most deserving health workers for special recognition.
The King's Fund charity is running the awards in association with this paper to celebrate the achievements of London nurses, doctors, dentists, porters and other healthcare staff who have shown exceptional dedication.
The Evening Standard's editor Veronica Wadley, BBC news anchorman George Alagiah and dotcom millionaire Martha Lane Fox are among those on the judging team. Winners will be announced at an awards ceremony in the capital in December.
One of the patients nursed by Ms Allcott is 7/7 bombing victim Gill Hicks. The 40-year-old was on Luke Ward for three months learning to walk again using prosthetic limbs.
Ms Allcott said: "Gill comes and visits and has been a great inspiration for us all. Her attitude was always positive and determined. We're still in touch and she has been great raising money for the ward."
Ms Hicks was an exceptional case - the majority of patients on the ward are diabetes or cancer patients who have had their limbs removed after years of pain.
The youngest patient cared for by Ms Allcott was an 18-year-old girl with cancer who had her leg removed to stop the disease spreading. The ward sister, who manages 28 patients and a team of 36 staff, said: "The people we treat tend to be very sick and don't realise what is going to happen to them.
"As well as accidents we're dealing with people with diabetes and other illnesses who need their limbs removed. They'll have suffered pain for a long time and still get the sensation that their leg is still there."
Despite the need for incredible patience, Ms Allcott says her job is the most rewarding she has ever had.
The nurse added: "No matter what you are doing, patients should always be treated as you would want to be treated yourself or by your family, not just as a number. It's very easy in a hospital to talk down to your patients. You need to be able to adapt to situations quickly."
A normal day for Ms Allcott is 7.30am to 3.30pm - but in reality she only stops when she is satisfied that all her patients have received the care they need. The closing date for votes is 16 October.
NOMINATE YOUR NHS CHAMPION
The NHS Champions awards are back - to pay tribute to London's dedicated healthcare professionals. They honour the courage, hard work and sacrifice of people who rarely get celebrated within the health service.
Independent think-tank The King's Fund is running the awards in association with the evening Standard and NHS London to mark the 60th anniversary of the NHS. From paramedics to hospital porters, from ward sisters to consultants, these are the healthcare professionals who work untiringly on our behalf.
Many have risked their lives in dangerous situations such as the London bombings or provided comfort to seriously injured accident victims. You can help our judges decide the winners by nominating the staff you believe are the most deserving. Every eligible nominee will receive a certificate from The King's Fund and the evening Standard and shortlisted individuals will be invited to an awards ceremony in early December. The six finalists will all receive a special trophy from a distinguished panel of judges. Panel members include the BBC's George Alagiah and dotcom entrepreneur Martha Lane Fox who describe their lifesaving NHS experiences here.
Do you know an NHS champion? If so, this is your chance to give them the credit they deserve.
To make a nomination log on to www.nhschampions.org.uk
Or print off and send the form via Freepost to: NHS Champions, The King's Fund, Freepost 23 Ke3007, 11-13 Cavendish Square, London W1e 0AX.
The closing date for nominations is 16 October.
