The Christie Charity
Tracey Coleby is our February 2022 You Made a Difference award winner. The following comments were made about Tracey in the February nominations.
Judges picked her out as a very deserving winner and said that the comments made about her showed how she represents The Christie principles and behaviours.
“Tracey has worked at The Christie NHS Foundation Trust since the 1990s, where she started on ward 11. Tracey has extensive experience of working with the supportive care team at The Christie.
“Tracey has specialised in supporting and providing palliative care expertise to patients with breast cancer being treated at The Christie who are struggling with symptom burden and existential distress. Tracey works alongside the secondary breast cancer nurse specialists and breast oncologists to deliver optimum care within the hospital and liaison with community.
“Tracey is very hardworking and holistic and thorough in her approach to communicating with caring for patients and their relatives. Tracey is passionate about excellent communication and education of other hospital and community health care professionals – an incredibly competent, caring professional nurse. As Tracey’s line manager, I am delighted that she is recognised for this.
“Tracey enjoys walking in the countryside with her husband and dog Poppy. Tracey gets away for breaks, when possible, in their caravan. Tracey also enjoys catching up with her grown up children and wider family.”
- Sharon Foy, clinical nurse specialist and Tracey’s manager
“My wife, Susan Lander, passed away on 21 December 2021 having been diagnosed with stage 4 breast cancer some 5 years ago. She had various treatments at first at Macclesfield District General Hospital and later transferring to The Christie when chemotherapy was the next form of treatment to be tried. From October onwards, Sue had various spells in Stepping Hill, The Christie, St Ann's Hospice and finally home for the last 10 days. The standard of care was exceptional.
“However, I would like to make special mention of Tracey Coleby. She was the dependable link person who we could call when we were unsure who to contact. If we had a question or enquiry, she always got back to us with an answer. She kept us updated as to Sue’s treatment and how she was doing, particularly when visiting wasn't allowed. Whilst sympathetic and caring, she always gave us clear and concise information even when the news wasn’t good. This was very much appreciated.
“I had cause to contact her only the other week concerning a problem I was having with an insurance being claimed for a stairlift we had had installed at home. The company required information about Sue's state of health at the time. Tracey was her usual efficient self, promising to provide the information required. Despite the number of patients that she must deal with, she had remembered all the facts about Sue’s treatment and knew that she had passed away.
“For all these reasons I felt that I should write to you and hope you will convey to her just how much I valued the part she played in the latter part of Sue's life."
- Graham Lander, patient relative
Has a staff member, team or volunteer at The Christie gone above and beyond in their work? You can nominate them for the monthly You Made a Difference Award.
