Claire Norton, who works as a health care assistant in Milton Keynes, has been nominated for Clinical Support Worker of the Year.
Claire Norton has been a Health Care Assistant in the Children’s Emergency Department at Milton Keynes University Hospital (MKUH) since the department first opened its doors nine years ago.
She has been a nurse at the hospital for the past twelve years, before moving to the children's department.
Claire has played a key role in making the department more child friendly and safe in these uncertain times.
She has created a large visual display in the waiting room, showing patients the faces behind the masks. This enables children to see what staff normally look like, reducing anxiety.
She has also created educational boards entitled ‘Snow White and the Seven Symptoms’, displaying information on signs and symptoms of different childhood illnesses in an interesting way.
Claire said: “I think it is important to not only treat our patients but educate them on their health and wellbeing – this has led to me creating education boards throughout our paediatric area.”
Claire’s colleagues have said: “Claire always has a smile on her face and is always there for everyone else; putting others needs first and truly deserves recognition. She is an exceptional HCA, amazing colleague, and fantastic advocate for the children. She is the face of CED and both staff and patients would be lost without her.”
The Trust have also praised Claire. They said: “We are delighted that Claire’s work as part of Team MKUH has been recognised by winning a spot in the Our Health Heroes Awards Clinical Support Worker of the Year category.
“It is incredibly important to recognise the efforts of all staff, especially in this difficult period. We would encourage people to vote for Claire as she fully deserves national recognition for her tireless efforts to improve the service to patients and their parents in our Children’s Emergency Department.”
On hearing of her shortlisting, Claire said: “I cannot express how grateful I am for this reward. To even be considered is great privilege. I would firstly like to thank my wonderful team for all their support, especially when they involve my weird and wonderful ideas, I truly believe they made me the HCA I am today.
"Secondly, I would like to thank my children, Megan, and Ben, for their support and understanding. Finally, I would like to also congratulate my fellow finalists and thank my wonderful team again for all their hard work.”
You can find out more about the award by clicking here, and you can vote for Claire by clicking here.
Voting closes on 8th February, with the winner announced at the Our Health Heroes Awards ceremony on 23rd March.
