Blackpool Harbour nurse Sam Dawes recognised for her stellar work

Sam Dawes, a physical health team nurse at The Harbour mental health hospital, has received a Cavell Star Award for going above and beyond for her patients.

Sam, 37, of Whitegate Drive, was nominated by her team for her ‘exceptional’ duties at the specialist unit off Preston New Road, run by Lancashire and South Cumbria NHS Foundation Trust.

Sam’s colleague and associate director of nursing Paul Jebb said: “Sam is an exceptional nurse who is caring, understanding and non-judgemental and has a strong ability to empathise with patients.

“Throughout the toughest times during COVID, Sam has been active and available and like many her role has been adapted as required on a daily basis.

“Sam is defiantly a team player and is always thinking of others. She is a valuable member of the team and this is recognised by many.”

Following her award win, Sam said: “It was a lovely surprise and I didn’t expect it at all. To be recognised by my colleagues and the whole trust is amazing. I really feel honoured to get a Cavell Star Award.”

“I love the nursing team atmosphere, they’re like a second family to me. You’re always under pressure, even without the Covid-19 pandemic, so everyone builds up strong, supportive relationships to be there for the patients, they are at the heart of what we do.”

Sam featured in the Gazette in July after making insulated covers out of crisp packets, which are handed out to homeless people.

She recycles foil crisp packets by washing, drying and ironing them together to make waterproof and insulating covers to wrap around sleeping bags and blankets.

Each cover takes 150 crisp packets and 5 hours to make.

Sam said: “I’ve got various wards collecting crisp packets as well as bundles of them arriving through the post from all over the UK. I’m known as the Crisp Packet Lady now.”

Nursing charity Cavell Nurses’ Trust launched the Cavell Star Awards in 2018 in partnership with LloydsPharmacy Clinical Homecare.

Nominations are sought from nursing teams in the UK for someone who has shown exceptional care for either their colleagues or their patients and patients’ families.

Thank you for reading this article on the Blackpool Gazette. If you value what we do and are able to support us, a digital subscription is only £1 for your first month. Please give it a try today by clicking here.