Western Daily Press (Saturday)
TRIBUTES FOR HEALTH WORKER
A‘HARDWORKING and committed’ apprenticeship leader at North Bristol NHS Trust has died after testing positive for coronavirus.
Sandra Hicks, who also worked as a nurse at Frenchay Hospital for 15 years, died last Saturday.
In a statement announcing Ms Hicks’ death, Andrea Young, chief executive at North Bristol NHS Trust, said: “Sandra was an extremely valued member of our hospital family and will be greatly missed.
“She had dedicated her life to caring for people and worked for the Trust for over 20 years and the wider NHS for 35 years.”
Her family said: “Her smiles and laughter will be remembered and treasured forever.”
Ms Hicks was lead practice development teacher in the Apprenticeship Centre at the hospital trust, and had also worked as a nurse for 15 years at Frenchay Hospital from 1985.
She also worked at NHS Direct as well as a local care home.
She is the second North Bristol NHS Trust worker to die after healthcare assistant Maureen Ellington on
Easter Sunday.
In a statement on Ms Hicks’ death, her family described her as being “at the heart of a large and loving family”.
They added: “She always gave generously of her love and time for each of them, her smiles and laughter will be remembered and treasured forever by them.
“Sandra’s positivity and encouragement for all of her beloved family was like a button holding them all together.”
Jonathan Hall, Ms Hicks’ line manager, said Ms Hicks was “a true inspiration” having trained 80 apprentices.
He said: “There are so many people that have developed both personally and professionally because of her commitment to them as an individual.”
He added: “She truly does leave NBT with a legacy that will impact so many people for decades to come. Sandra will be so deeply missed by everyone within the team.”
Becky Holmes, Ms Hicks’ close colleague, said: “My friend, mentor, sounding board, shoulder and a good old push in the right direction when I needed it. She meant a lot to me and I am the person in work that I am because of her.
“I have so many questions that I still had to ask her and so much more to learn from her. I will take what she has taught me and share this with her team and carry it on for her and do her proud.”
Ms Young, chief executive at the hospital trust, said: “The thoughts of everyone at Southmead are with Sandra’s family, her close friends and colleagues and we ask that you respect the privacy and wishes of the family at this incredibly difficult time.”
Medicine matron Tracey Lucas said: “I have wonderful memories of working with Sandra over many years at Frenchay Hospital during my nurse training from 1983-1986 and as a staff nurse for many years beyond.
“Since seeing her battle with her illness and talking to colleagues and friends, the overarching memories and sentiments have flooded back to me from many people who remembered Sandra as a very well loved, efficient, sensible nurse who always took control of situations and sorted things out for her patients and her team.
“She was extremely friendly and kind, and friends who remember her as a mentor expressed how well taught, safe and supported they felt by Sandra at their most vulnerable times during their careers.”