A star of the NHS is to be a guest of honour at Redcar’s “heroes” meeting this Sunday.

Jackie Pearn is the winner of our competition to find a health service hero to help celebrate the 70th anniversary of the NHS.

Redcar’s next meeting, on Sunday, July 22, is 1940s Revival Day, supporting Help For Heroes and the Royal British Legion. 

However, as well as marking the importance of the armed forces, racecourse officials also wanted to recognise NHS heroes this year.

A search was, therefore, launched to find an NHS hero to be given VIP day out at the meeting, including lunch for the winner and three guests.

Jackie is today unveiled as the winner after being nominated by County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust.

Jackie does amazing work in the Durham Bowel Dysfunction Service, based at the University Hospital North Durham. 
Jackie has a dual role in the team; health care assistant and research assistant. 

Michelle Henderson, Bowel Specialist Nurse said: “Jackie works above and beyond what is expected of her role and the whole team would like to nominate her.”

The patients the team cares for are mostly under 50 and have chronic, severe, refractory functional bowel disorders for which there’s limited effective treatment. 

This means they may need supportive therapies over a number of years. Jackie creates a rapport with patients, making them feel safe, establishing a relationship, and setting the tone for their whole time with the service. This is especially important given the psychological and emotional impact patients with these conditions can experience.

Jackie prepares, sets up and oversees the smooth running of 14 clinics a week, preparing all the paperwork, gathering equipment and arranging patient appointments, saving her teammates valuable time. 

As well as her service role Jackie is an important part of the research team and is passionate about giving patients the opportunity to access the latest medical care.”

Professor Yan Yiannakou, Consultant, Bowel Dysfunction Service, said: “Jackie is the hub of the team. She connects us to each other and connects us to our patients. You can tell how important Jackie is to the team because we all struggle when she goes on holiday.”

Amy Fair, Redcar’s general manager, said: “This is a milestone year for the NHS so we wanted to reflect that on Sunday, which is a day for heroes. Jackie epitomises everything that is good about the NHS - dedication, care, and teamwork – and we are delighted to welcome her and her family for a VIP day at Redcar.”

A spokesperson for County Durham & Darlington NHS Foundation Trust, said, “Like many of the fantastic people who are part of #teamCDDFT, Jackie’s focus is on ensuring our patients get the best possible care and have a good experience. She makes sure clinics run smoothly, that clinicians have the information they need for each patient and she engages with each patient with sincerity, sensitivity and kindness.

“As a recent winner of one of our staff awards, we’re delighted that Jackie has been selected by Redcar Racecourse for a special VIP day out and hope she has a wonderful time.”