A DEDICATED county carer who lost her life to Covid earlier this year is among those being honoured at this year’s Worcestershire Health and Social Care Awards.
Jackie Edwards was a ‘Promoting Independence Assistant’ and domiciliary care worker who supported and cared for very poorly people who had recently been discharged from hospital. She was described by those who knew her as an angel, with a great bedside manner.
She fell ill and was admitted to hospital and one week later was put into an induced coma.
The much-loved carer appeared to be rallying and managed to have a FaceTime call with her husband Frank on their forty-third wedding anniversary but took a turn for the worse the following day and died a few days later.
A collection organised by colleagues raised more than £1,000 and a memorial bench has been installed in the Countryside Centre in Worcester
Husband Frank said: “We are completely overwhelmed that Jackie has been nominated and has made it to the final three.
“We are so proud of her and have been touched by the love and good wishes from all her colleagues. As her husband I knew Jackie was an amazing carer, she went above and beyond to help the people she looked after.
“She was so dedicated to her work, it was her top priority, not before me but not that far behind,” he added.
In total 250 nominations were submitted across 11 categories and after much thought and consideration, a panel of judges has decided on three finalists for each of the categories.
Jackie has been nominated posthumously and is one of the finalists in the Domiciliary Care Worker category.
Debbie Bell, registered care manager Worcestershire County Council who are sponsoring this year’s awards said:
“Jackie was a loyal and committed individual who would light up a room when she entered.
“She had been with the council since 2003 and nothing was ever too much trouble for her, she was conscientious, selfless, and loved her job. If you were to ever describe the perfect care worker, it would be Jackie.
“She worked tirelessly throughout the pandemic, wearing the correct PPE and doing everything possible to protect the people she cared for, herself and her family.
The winners of this year’s Worcestershire Health and Social Care Awards will be announced at a virtual ceremony on Thursday, May 27.
