OUH Nursing Assistant shortlisted among best in country
25/04/2019
This article is more than five years old.
A Nursing Assistant based at the Women's Centre at the John Radcliffe Hospital is up for a prestigious national award from the RCNi.
The RCNi Awards are an important part of the nursing calendar, and celebrate outstanding achievements in nursing practice. The annual awards, set to take place in July 2019, recognise hard-working individuals and teams in the nursing profession.
Finalist as Healthcare Assistant of the Year, Courtney Hughes is a Senior Nursing Assistant at Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.
The 21-year-old, who started in her current role at the John Radcliffe in January 2019, has also previously worked in Neuroscience AAU and Sobell House at the Trust.
She has been recognised for her compassionate care in the Women's Centre, as well as running her Secret Santa 365 charity, delivering tens of thousands of individually wrapped presents to vulnerable and ill people across Oxfordshire.
Courtney, who is up against four other finalists, said: "This has to be one of the greatest honours.
"My great grandmother inspired me to help others, and it was after founding the charity in 2012 that strengthened my choice to work in the NHS. I have worked within many dedicated teams, and am very honoured to wave the NHS flag for the Trust.
"As well as caring for patients who visit us during very emotional times, I assist in running clinics at the Women's Centre. I've also worked in palliative and emergency care, which are all very rewarding and have enriched my journey working for the NHS."
As well as providing exemplary compassionate care as a senior colposcopy nursing assistant in the Women's Centre, Courtney has supported thousands of people in Oxfordshire, despite having myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME).
The charity Secret Santa 365, which she founded aged 12 in 2012, has distributed more than 50,000 gifts, as well as essential items, such as toiletries, to adults and their families. These are also distributed to sick children, including those on our wards and to Women's Centre-based charity Support for Sick Newborn and their Parents (SSNAP). Courtney also supports the homeless community, and women in refuges who have escaped domestic violence.
Inspired by her late great grandmother Elise Richardson, who spent time in hospital one Christmas period, Courtney started appealing for and donating Christmas presents in 2012, and is known locally as 'Mrs Santa of Oxfordshire'.
One of the families to nominate Courtney said: "Without Courtney's help, Christmas in hospital would have been sad for us and a struggle."
Courtney has been recognised in the past for her fantastic fundraising efforts:
- A British Citizens Award from Westminster for her contribution to fundraising
- Against Breast Cancer 2018 winner, Young Achiever of the Year
- Point of Light Award from Theresa May, Prime Minister
- Thames Valley Business Awards 2019 winner, Lifetime Achievement Award
- A guest at the wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's Wedding in May 2018
- St James's Palace Foundation winner, Children of Courage Award
- Didcot BACAs winner, Outstanding Achievement Award
- Oxfordshire Youth Awards winner, Young Fundraiser of the year
- Didcot Town Council Awards winner, John Eldridge Award
- Pride of Britain 2018 runner up, Fundraiser of the Year
Andrew Carter, Associate Chief Nurse at the Trust, said: "It is humbling to see how committed Courtney is at fundraising.
"We are proud to have Courtney as part of our nursing assistant team here at OUH. I wish her the best of luck at the awards."
The winners will be announced at the awards ceremony on Wednesday 3 July 2019, held at the Park Plaza hotel in Westminster, and hosted by Kate Garraway.
Keep up-to-date on the night by searching #RCNiAwards