Mental health nurse Yvonne Addington, praised for her work helping to build dementia services in East Devon.
An East Devon mental health nurse for people with dementia is the first person to be nominated for the 2013 Healthcare Hero Awards following its launch last week.
The Midweek Herald, in conjunction with Northern Devon Healthcare NHS Trust, is running the awards to recognise members of staff who have gone above and beyond the call of duty.
Yvonne Addington, who is based in Ottery St Mary, has been praised for her work helping to build dementia services in East Devon, as well as for her passion and input.
She was nominated by Gaynor Appleby, the team leader of Rowan, Linden, Conybeare and Willow centre, said: “Yvonne came back from retirement three years ago to help me build dementia services in East Devon. Since this time she has been responsible for all the documentation in the award-winning Rowan and Linden centres. Last year, due to the success of Rowan and Linden centres, we were asked to duplicate the service over in Axminster – and the Conybeare Centre and the new day centre, Willow Day Services, were created.
“Yvonne has also set up carers groups for people who look after people with dementia. Carers find her empowering, often unloading their burdens through education and more often than not a well-needed hug. I cannot thank Yvonne enough for the input, hours and passion she has given to dementia services and I know all the people she has helped over the three years after coming back from retirement would join me in nominating her.”
Northern Devon Healthcare NHS Trust manage all the community hospitals in East Devon and its community nursing and therapy teams care for people in their own homes throughout the area.
The trust has about 4,500 employees across Devon and all are eligible for nomination, including nurses, doctors, healthcare assistants, therapists and support staff such as cleaners, porters and administrators.
The public is being asked to email or write to the Herald with their stories of how the trust’s staff have provided exceptional care and support to them and their families.
Send nominations to reporter Katy Griffin at katy.griffin@archant.co.uk or write to: Exmouth Journal, Fair Oak Close, Exeter Airport Business Park, Clyst Honiton EX5 2UL. The deadline for nominations is midnight on Tuesday, December 31.
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