A Nottingham Macmillan cancer support worker described as a ‘rock’ by colleagues and patients has won a prestigious national award.
Kerry Clark, who supports patients with the long-term effects of radiotherapy treatment, came runner up in the Clinical Support Worker of the Year category at the Our Health Heroes Awards, delivered by Skills for Health.
“Every day she goes above and beyond to ensure that patients live well with and beyond their cancer along with offering the support to the clinical staff members,” says Emma Hallam, Consultant Therapeutic Radiographer at Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust.
“Kerry is the first person that many patients have spoken to about the physical and psychological consequences from their cancer treatment and does this with such compassion and ease that many of our patients say that they don’t know what they would do without her and call her an angel.”
Kerry has spearheaded a number of new developments in cancer treatment at the hospital, including setting up the photobiomodulation therapy service to reduce pain and inflammation as well as establishing the early lymphoedema support clinic for those with swollen lymph nodes.
Accepting her award at a glittering awards ceremony held in London Kerry commented:
“I’m over the moon – really pleased. I’m so happy that my manager nominated me for this award. I was surprised when I first got the email through saying I was nominated, but to be here today, it’s such an experience. I’ve never been to a ceremony like this before, it’s wonderful. And I’m so pleased to be recognised for the hard work that I do for the late effects service.”
The Skills for Health Our Health Heroes Awards is sponsored by NHS England, NHS Employers, NHS Shared Business Services and SFJ Awards. To find and more: www.skillsforhealth.org.uk/awards
Photo – Left to right: Steve Ford (Chief Executive – Royal College of Occupational Therapists), Kerry Clark (Macmillan Cancer Support Worker – Nottingham University Hospitals Trust) and Professor Alice Roberts (Ceremony Host & Broadcaster)