16 July 2018

For immediate publication

CNWL's Tracy wins award for helping save life of eating disorder patient

A CNWL Milton Keynes therapist was lost for words after receiving an award for going the extra mile by the patient who nominated her.

Tracy Mainolfi was described as a "star" and a "shining ambassador for the NHS" who "quite simply saved my life" by Nick Canham, a 23-year-old who had been treated for an eating disorder until earlier this year.

Tracy, who has only recently moved to work at CNWL's Vincent Square Eating Disorder Service in London, was invited back to see her old team, little dreaming Nick would be waiting among the group with the Hidden Gem Award.

She said: "I am very moved by Nick's nomination. He was committed to his recovery and worked hard in therapy, even when it was challenging. It was a pleasure and privilege to work with him and to be a part of his journey. It is evident that he has continued developing, and I have no doubt will continue growing and being an important Mental Health Ambassador."

Nick, from Westcroft in Milton Keynes, was first diagnosed with an eating disorder in February last year and was referred to a hospital in Leicester for six months. Despite the distance, Tracy kept in regular contact with him and his family, so he didn't feel too isolated from his home.

Following discharge from the inpatient unit in Leicester he was referred to CNWL in the community during which time Tracy held weekly therapy sessions with him until his formal discharge in April this year. 

In his nomination, Nick said: "Tracy quite simply saved my life. Her quick action got me into a hospital and access to the care I needed. Upon discharge she has supported me with weekly therapy sessions, showing compassion, dignity and integrity.

"She has offered top quality care and given me a new perspective on life. She also attended a talk that I did at MK Hospital on her own accord. Tracy is quite a star. A shining ambassador for the NHS."

Tracy's former manager, Jane Taylor, added: "Tracy is an excellent therapist who devotes herself entirely to her patients. She puts them at the centre of their treatment and works collaboratively to support them on a very challenging journey to recovery. For the last few years she has worked in the Eating Disorder Service, a complex and highly specialist area.

"It is wonderful to hear that our experience of Tracy as a dedicated and effective therapist is more than supported by this service user. On a regular basis Tracy works outside of her hours to ensure that, behind the scenes, clients' paperwork is always up to date and they are well supported out of hours as needed."

Mrs Taylor added the nomination was a fitting tribute to the work Tracy had conducted in Milton Keynes.  

For more details:

Contact: Senior Communications Officer Jeremy Dunning on 0203 214 5756 or emailJeremy.dunning@nhs.net.

With pic of Tracy being presented with the award by Nick

Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust
Stephenson House, 75 Hampstead Road, London NW1 2PL
Tel: 020 3214 5756 e-mail:communications.cnwl@nhs.net