Man whose 'passing left a profound mark on the George Eliot family' honoured with National NHS Award

A colleague said he was the most kind, caring and compassionate of human beings.

A beloved member of the George Eliot Hospital community, has been posthumously awarded a Chief Nursing Officer Healthcare Support Worker (HCSW) Award in the category of Compassion.

James Taylor, known to most as Jim, worked as a Healthcare Support Worker on the Acute Medical Unit (AMU) at George Eliot Hospital.

The award, was presented to his family by Duncan Burton, Chief Nursing Officer for England.

James died in March 2024 following an accident while on leave in his hometown.

Natalie Green, Chief Nursing Officer for George Eliot Hospital,said: “James was the embodiment of compassion, nothing was ever too much trouble for him. He went above and beyond not because he had to, but because it was who he was. He is truly irreplaceable, and we feel his absence every day.”

“Jim was an incredible gentleman who served his country and dedicated his second career to the NHS, he was the most kind, caring and compassionate of human beings – he was a dedicated, loyal man who would go out of his way to provide the best care for his patients but also his team as they were his second family.”

Duncan Burton, Chief Nursing Officer for England, said: “It is evident James had a profound and lasting impact on many lives – from the patients he cared for to his colleagues across the trust and the wider community.

“It was a privilege to present James’ family with a Chief Nursing Officer Award in recognition of his incredible compassion and his commitment to supporting people in his role as a healthcare support worker and beyond.”