19 May 2009
Maggie George, a counsellor/midwife has been crowned Epsom and St Helier University Hospitals NHS Trust's Nurse/Midwife of the Year for 2009. The annual award is given to the nurse or midwife who the Trust feel has gone above and beyond the call of duty in providing patients with the best possible care.
Pippa Hart is the Trust's Director of Nursing. She said: "Maggie is always there to offer guidance and a friendly ear to our patients. She also provides invaluable support to women who have lost a child, and helps them to cope with their loss. It is not an easy job, but Maggie's professionalism and her manner mean she is a credit to the midwifery team.
"She regularly goes way beyond the call of duty, and is always asking what more she can do for patients and for staff. Just recently, she has set up informal coffee groups for new mums and mums-to-be to share their experiences. She is always smiling, always has a friendly 'hello' to everyone and is, quite simply, a joy to work with and a joy to know. We are proud, and delighted, to have her with us."
Maggie works at both Epsom and St Helier hospitals. She said: "The award isn't just about me. It belongs to the team: the receptionists, PAs, maternity assistants, midwives, doctors, consultants and the patients themselves. They have all helped me, and all of them make my job what it is today, so I'd like to thank them and dedicate the award to them."
The awards formed part of Nurses' Day 2009 (12 May), and also included the Nursing Support Worker of the Year, which was awarded to Susan Letts, a healthcare assistant at Epsom Hospital. Susan's nomination paid tribute to the fact she always takes extra effort to get to know the patients she cares for and is one of the Trust's most dependable healthcare assistants.
Susan also made it to work during the heavy snowfall (on 2 February) and stayed overnight to ensure she was at work the following day. Both Maggie and Susan received a framed certificate and £150 of Debenhams vouchers.
The Trust's Chief Executive, Peter Coles, added: "The awards allow us to congratulate those members of staff who really show outstanding skill, commitment and dedication in their work.
"So many of our staff, like Maggie and Sally, do not just come to work to do their job, they are devoted to doing the very best work they can."
