Essex Healthcare Assistant wins prestigious Cavell Star Award 

Senior Healthcare Assistant Lisa Wade has been recognised with a Cavell Star Award in recognition of her exceptional dedication, leadership and commitment to patient care at St Andrew’s Healthcare in Essex. 

Nominated by Occupational Therapist Annymn Adams, Lisa was praised for her unwavering professionalism and the vital role she plays in supporting both patients and colleagues on the ward. 

Annymn said: “Lisa works on our Tiptree ward and she is widely regarded as the backbone of the team. Colleagues often describe her as the glue that holds the ward together, providing stability, continuity and reassurance in an often challenging environment. 

“While her official role is Senior Healthcare Assistant, Lisa's extensive clinical knowledge, understanding of policies and expertise in incident management have made her a trusted source of guidance for staff across the ward. Her calm and approachable manner means she is regularly relied upon by nursing colleagues, new starters and students alike.” 

Lisa's leadership skills were particularly evident during a recent patient crisis that required an emergency response.  

Lisa’s Ward Manager Ochan Opiti added: “Lisa also demonstrates exceptional composure under pressure, and on this particular occasion she immediately stepped into the role of incident lead. This meant she coordinated staff, ensuring the situation was quickly and safely resolved.  

“Anyone who knows Lisa, will know she has a very calm, measured approach. She plays a pivotal role in the day-to-day running of the ward - from overseeing handovers to maintaining an in-depth understanding of patient needs, legal requirements and hospital appointments, she helps ensure the ward operates safely and efficiently every day.” 

Ochan said her “commitment to patient care extends far beyond routine responsibilities”.  

Ochan added: “Through strong therapeutic relationships and a deep understanding of patients' individual needs, she has earnt the respect from all the patients.” 

“She has worked particularly closely with a patient whose moods fluctuate significantly and she has learnt to recognise early warning signs and understanding the patient's triggers, which means she successfully de-escalates situations.” 

Alongside her clinical expertise, Lisa is passionate about supporting the development of others. She is a trusted mentor to newly qualified staff and students, sharing her knowledge generously and helping colleagues build confidence in a supportive and encouraging way. 

Present on the ward and leading from the frontline every day, Lisa is recognised for balancing professionalism with compassion, organisation and resilience. Her ability to support colleagues, advocate for patients and maintain the highest standards of care has earned her widespread respect across the team. 

Annymn, who nominated Lisa, said: “Lisa embodies everything the Cavell Star Award stands for. Her dedication to patient safety, her support for colleagues and her outstanding leadership make her truly deserving of this recognition.” 

Lisa said: “I am truly honoured to receive this award. Caring for our patients and supporting my colleagues is something I am passionate about, and I feel very fortunate to work alongside such a dedicated team at Tiptree.  

“This recognition means a great deal to me, but it really reflects the collective effort of everyone on the ward who works tirelessly every day to provide the best possible care.” 

The Cavell Star Awards recognise nurses, midwives, nursing associates and healthcare assistants who demonstrate exceptional care, compassion and dedication, and who go above and beyond to support patients, colleagues and their communities. Lisa's award is a fitting recognition of the outstanding contribution she continues to make every day.