FOLLOWING the challenges of Covid and the strain on our healthcare system, NHS staff have paid tribute to the incredible team spirit that has been on show within the service.

As part of the Pride of Cumbria Awards, it is a great delight to highlight the sacrifices of so many members of our community.

For our region’s NHS workers, it has been a challenging but cathartic process over the last few years which has asked more questions of them than ever before.

However, with the support of colleagues and the public, our nominees for NHS Worker of the Year - Thomas Sendall, Tracy Wharton and Barbara McCready - have explained their experiences.

The Westmorland Gazette: NOMINEE: Thomas's hard work lead to the nominationNOMINEE: Thomas's hard work lead to the nomination

Nominee Thomas Sendall, who often goes by Tommy, works on Willow A at the Cumberland Infirmary, Carlisle.

Thomas has worked for the Cumberland Infirmary as a porter since he started several years ago; during Covid he started working on the ward in healthcare.

Thomas’ nominator said: “His determination, helpfulness and mannerisms towards his patients and colleagues is second to none, he’s loyal, hardworking and trustworthy.”

Mr Sendall said he was 'gobsmacked' about this award and could not believe he 'made it to the final three'.

He explained his approach to work saying: “I genuinely go about my work thriving to be kind and caring” and “nothing really is really a problem”.

The Westmorland Gazette: NOMINEE: The dedicated Tracy was nominated for her workNOMINEE: The dedicated Tracy was nominated for her work

Fellow NHS worker Tracy Wharton is also nominated. Tracy retired after many years of nursing in 2019. She had work for in acute services in a variety of roles and for the past 12 years as a community nurse and senior community nurse.

The person who nominated Tracy said: “Tracy is an outstanding nurse with high standards and has high expectations of others.

“Tracy returned to support our community service and myself to lead a large team through the pandemic, despite having her own health and family to consider.

"She has never shied away anything I have asked of her, and she rises to the challenges of community nursing, caseload management and the variety of skills we are required to deliver.

“Tracy is one of those rare ‘mentors’ and positive role models you only come across on a few occasions in your career and is probably not fully aware of the impact she has on me and her colleagues.”

The Westmorland Gazette: NOMINEE: Barbara was completely shocked about her nominationNOMINEE: Barbara was completely shocked about her nomination

Barbara McCready is a respiratory physio; she works for the NHS in Carlisle hospital. When Covid began Barbara was on the front line and in the thick of it, her patient list was huge and her workload large and increasing day-by-day.

Barbara’s stepfather passed away from Covid and Barbara began to extend her commitment to helping people with long Covid by providing extra clinic services, private work, and free online advice.

Her nominator said: “Barbara is a tireless worker, and national hero. She has committed so much for the public good during Covid and she never stops. She is a hero to Cumbria and the community”.

Barbara spoke about her reaction to the nomination saying: “I was proud someone had nominated me, but shocked. It is nice to be recognised”

She also said that the pain and anguish Covid caused her, this nomination “makes it all worthwhile”.