Home carer who died from Covid and praised as 'perfect care worker' wins posthumous award

A home care worker who was hailed as the “perfect care worker”, has been posthumously awarded the Domiciliary Care Worker Award.

Jackie Edwards, who supported very ill people at home after they had been discharged from hospital, had worked for Worcestershire County Council as a care worker for 17 years.

She died of COVID-19 earlier this year and was given the Domiciliary Care Worker Award at the Worcestershire Health and Social Care Awards 2021.

Jackie’s husband, Frank said: “We are so proud of her and have been touched by the love and good wishes from all her colleagues.

“As her husband I knew Jackie was an amazing carer, she went above and beyond to help the people she looked after. She was so dedicated to her work, it was her top priority, not before me but not that far behind!”

Worcestershire County Council tweeted: 'We're very proud that Jackie Edwards was posthumously awarded the Domiciliary Care Worker Award. Care worker Jackie, a much-loved colleague @worcscc sadly died of Covid-19 this year.'

In total 250 nominations were submitted across 11 categories in this year’s Worcestershire Health and Social Care Awards and a panel of judges selected three finalists for each of the categories.

Debbie Bell, registered care manager at Worcestershire County Council said: “Jackie was a loyal and committed individual who would light up a room when she entered.

“She had been with the Council since 2003 and nothing was ever too much trouble for her, she was conscientious, selfless, and loved her job. If you were to ever describe the perfect care worker, it would be Jackie.

"She worked tirelessly throughout the pandemic, wearing the correct PPE and doing everything possible to protect the people she cared for, herself and her family."

Jackie Edwards was admitted to hospital after catching COVID-19 earlier this year and one week later was put into an induced coma.

“She appeared to be rallying and managed to have a FaceTime call with her husband Frank on their forty-third wedding anniversary, but sadly, she took a turn for the worse the following day and died a few days later," said Ms Bell.

A collection organised by colleagues raised over £1000 and a memorial bench has been installed in the Countryside Centre in Worcester.

The winners of this year’s Worcestershire Health and Social Care Awards were announced at a virtual ceremony broadcast live on the Newsquest website and social media channels on Thursday, 27 May.