Rachael Lewis was the recent winner of our You Made a Difference Award after being put forward by patient partner Sara Turle. Rachael, who has just moved into a new role as a discharge coordinator, was nominated for her work as a healthcare assistant on our Sunflower Suite.

Sara wanted Rachael to be recognised for the compassion she shows for her patients and their loved ones. In her nomination, she wrote about one occasion when Rachael’s kindness really stood out: “A few weeks ago I witnessed a relative, whose mother Rachael had built a relationship with and had sadly died, greeting Rachael with gratitude and warmth of hugs and shared memories. Rachael had cared for her mother and was now showing care for the daughter. That is what patient care and experience is. Her love of her job and her patients and families is evident the minute you meet Rachael. She works extremely hard delivering brilliant care and our patients love her.”

Rachael has worked at our Trust for over three years and previously worked as an endoscopy technician at Newham Hospital. She was inspired to follow a career in healthcare after her grandfather sadly passed away from bowel cancer when she was 17. Rachael said: “I started my healthcare career as an apprentice through Barking and Dagenham Council at 22. I really wanted to be a nurse but I was finding it difficult to get into. As part of the apprenticeship I worked as a carer in the community caring for palliative care patients, and this was the opportunity that I enjoyed the most. The role as an endoscopy technician was my first job after my apprenticeship.

“My favourite part of my job is meeting people- I find people fascinating! Plus, I love to talk! It’s always important that a patient is heard. Listening to a patient is about finding out how they are doing - not just in their treatment, but at home, everything. Sometimes when someone is halfway through their treatment, it can be hard for them to see an end and they can lose focus. So you’re not just asking how they are feeling with the medication for example, you’re also finding out how they are doing socially.”

Rachael was delighted to be recognised by one of our patient partners, she added: “You don’t think people will notice what you do. The patient Sara is talking about in her nomination really hit home for me. The daughter was the same age as me and also had children. Sometimes someone’s situation can really pull you to that person.”

If you know a fabulous member of staff like Rachael, then nominate them for one of our monthly You Made a Difference Awards! More information and our nomination form can be found on our website.