and Chief Nurse of NHS England's East of England
regional team Louise Ashley
A kind and dedicated healthcare worker who died before he could start his dream job of becoming a nurse was recognised with a special award for outstanding healthcare professionals.
Wilfred Mushamba, 45, died suddenly in his sleep in 2024, suddenly in his sleep just months before he was due to start a nursing apprenticeship.
He worked as a Healthcare Support Worker at Waford General from 2019 and 2024, during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, and at the time of his death was preparing to start an apprenticeship, something his managers ‘wholeheartedly supported’.
As part of his nomination, his colleagues described Wilfred’s dedication, saying that Wilfred would have made an amazing nurse: “He showed empathy, compassion and care to his patients. He embodied the true values of care, kindness, and teamwork. His dedication and warmth left a lasting impression on everyone who worked with him and on the many patients whose lives he touched.”
Wilfred’s mother, Esther Mandisodza, travelled down from Leicester to meet the colleagues he worked with, unaware that she was there to be presented with an award to accept on his behalf. Esther received a standing ovation upon receiving the award.
After accepting the award Esther said: “Wilfred always wanted to be a nurse, even when he was very little. I was so happy to accept Wilfred’s award, and I felt that he was there. I could feel him there, receiving it for himself."
Two other Healthcare Support Workers from West Herts Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust were honoured with the CNO award. Delia-Corina Daniliuc was nominated for her ‘far-reaching’ impact on patient experience, and for making a lasting difference to her team.
Noel Gastardo was presented his award described as the ‘cornerstone’ of his team, and praised for his compassion and kindness, particularly with vulnerable patients.
Chief Nurse Kelly McGovern was also surprised with the Gold Chief Nursing Officer Award, the highest national honours given to nurses, midwives, and care workers in England.
Kelly was nominated for her work in recent years, leading on the elimination of ‘corridor care’ at Watford General, and working hard with colleagues from across the Trust to embed culture change, embrace data and work more closely with our partners to improve patient experience.
Kelly said: “It's a real honour to be given this award, especially as it's my dad's birthday today and he would have been 73. My dad passed away I was just qualifying as a nurse, so it's really quite special to be given this award today.”
“I'm honoured to have received this award. It’s lovely to hear all the reasons I’ve been nominated, and it's a real privilege and an honour to be given the gold badge for nursing.”