A manager from St Raphael’s Hospice in Cheam has won a prestigious national award. Paula di Palma, who stepped up to lead the housekeeping team at St Raphael’s when Covid struck, scooped the top prize at the 2024 Our Health Heroes Awards on Tuesday 16 April delivered by Skills for Health.
Colleagues from the Hospice who refer to Paula as ‘a ray of sunshine’ nominated her for always going the extra mile with patients and volunteers and making them feel special.
Paula recently arranged a pizza party for a young patient whose family lived all around the world, an Easter egg hunt for a young family on the ward, as well as a last date night for an elderly couple the Hospice was caring for. Every year, Paula comes into the Hospice on Christmas Day to cook and give presents to patients and goes out of her way to celebrate special occasions such as patients’ birthdays.
Speaking at a glittering awards ceremony held at the Queen Elizabeth II Centre in London, Paula said “The fact that my colleagues and my peers nominated me is just overwhelming. I’m delighted for my work to be recognised with this award.
“I feel so privileged and honoured to be in the company of such inspirational people.” she adds. “Winning this award is a wonderful reminder that everyday people can make a positive difference.”
St Raphael’s Hospice provides free specialist end of life care and support to people living with a life-limiting illness in Merton and Sutton and those close to them. To donate to the charity or to find out more, visit www.straphaels.org.uk. To find out more about the Health Heroes Awards, visit: www.skillsforhealth.org.uk/awards
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About St Raphael’s Hospice:
St Raphael’s Hospice is an independent charity providing free adult palliative and end of life care services for all who need it in Merton and Sutton, and offers support to families, carers and friends.
The Hospice cares for around 1,000 patients every year in its 13 bed In-Patient Unit (IPU)and in the community in patients’ homes. The majority of St Raphael’s patients are cared for at home and Hospice staff work alongside community healthcare professionals such as GPs and District Nurses, offering guidance, specialist support and advice as needs arise. St Raphael’s expert team is made up of clinicians including doctors, nurses, and their associates, counsellors, therapists and a social worker who all work together to provide vital care.
The Hospice also provides counselling and bereavement services to support patients and those important to them. Its Wellbeing Centre is open to everyone living in Merton and Sutton who are over 18 and are closely affected by someone with a progressive life-limiting illness.
St Raphael’s is proud to have been at the heart of the community since 1987. For more information, please visit www.straphaels.org.uk
About Skills for Health Our Health Heroes Awards
Skills for Health have been championing the voices of the UK healthcare workforce since 2002. As the Sector Skills Council for Health, we have collaborated with thousands of NHS and healthcare providers to develop solutions that improve skills, jobs, and roles to achieve better patient outcomes.
Our Health Heroes was created to champion real people, who are at the heart of our healthcare system. Now more than ever we need to celebrate and say ‘thank you’ to the thousands of unsung heroes up and down the country.
Now in its eighth year, we can’t wait to welcome some of the incredible shining stars of the health and care sector to a glittering awards ceremony at the QEII Centre in London as we reveal the winners of the Our Health Heroes Awards 2024.
Our Health Heroes Awards 2024 is supported by NHS England, NHS Employers, NHS Shared Business Services, NHS Race & Health Observatory and more. www.skillsforhealth.org.uk/awards/
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