Community matron nominated for ‘hero’ award

Honiton’s Community Matron, Becky Garnsworthy, has been nominated by Midweek Herald readers for the 2012 Healthcare Hero Awards.

Described as “a remarkable woman”, Becky was nominated by residents in Dowell Street for going the extra mile.

The residents said: “We would like to nominate hrt because we feel she richly deserves recognition for her outstanding work.

“Becky, who is profoundly deaf and wears two hearing aids, goes the extra mile and is a remarkable woman.”

One resident said: “She brought me back to normality after serious illness.

“I am an MS sufferer and also have diabetes. I have been extremely ill.”

A Parkinson’s disease sufferer added: “We can’t praise Becky enough. She has made a real difference to our lives.”

Geraldine Benson, cluster manager in Honiton and Ottery St Mary for the Northern Devon Healthcare NHS Trust, said: “Becky works very closely with GPs and is able to identify patients who may be approaching a crisis and works with them to avoid a hospital admission.

“She works closely with all the Complex Care Team and can organise services to meet people’s needs through her knowledge of health and social care services in the public, voluntary and independent sectors.

“Becky ensures the patient is always at the centre of her care and goes above and beyond her community matron duties by empowering people to help themselves and reach their full potential.”

There is still time to nominate your healthcare hero for an award.

Nominees must be employed by the Northern Devon Healthcare NHS Trust, which does not cover the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital in Exeter.

The trust runs community hospitals in Axminster, Honiton and Seaton, as well as other health services.

Please check before nominating a GP that he or she is employed by the trust, as many are not.

Email your nominations to belinda.bennett@archant.co.uk or write to Belinda Bennett, Midweek Herald, Fair Oak Close, Exeter Airport Business Park, Clyst Honiton EX5 2UL.