St George’s Hospital doctor, Dr Richard Chavasse from Reigate has been named as a winner in the prestigious national 2023 WellChild Awards, in association with GSK, having been nominated by colleagues and families of his patients. He will be off to collect his award in London on September 7th. The Awards are run by WellChild, the national charity for seriously ill children.
Dr Richard Chavasse, who is a Paediatric Respiratory Consultant at St George’s Hospital, was picked from 100s of nominations from across the UK to win the Doctor category in these Awards which celebrate the resilience of children and young people living with serious illnesses or complex medical needs and honour the dedication of those individuals who go the extra mile to help them.
Dr Chavasse started his consultant post at the paediatric respiratory service at St George’s University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust in 2010. Since then he has been a fantastic leader, pioneer of innovation and spearheaded significant developments in the service. Colleagues and families of children in his care jumped at the chance to nominate Dr Chavasse for a WellChild Award, describing him as an outstanding doctor and colleague who works relentlessly to provide the best possible care for children needing long-term ventilation and support with respiratory problems. Examples of Dr Chavasse’s dedication and selflessness include dropping equipment to a family home when they had challenges coming into hospital and undertaking home visits in his own time to support children and families. He has also raised more than £10,000 for charities through bike rides and has developed and led the St George’s Schools Emergency Asthma Bag which has donated an emergency asthma kit to every state school in Wandsworth and Merton with more London schools to follow. He is praised for his kindness and empathy and his determination to listen to children and make them feel important and valued.
Sophie Jones is mum to Dr Chavasse’s patient, five-year-old Bran. She said: “Bran often gets talked over and about, and many professionals never ask him for his view or opinion. In contrast Dr Chavasse ensures that my son is given a voice and choices. This has meant he is both physically and emotionally better off as he is more cooperative with treatment for his respiratory problems and feels important and valued”.
Alex McClements, WellChild Nurse who works with Dr Chavasse said:
“Dr Chavasse is truly an inspiration to work with. His passion for the service is always apparent in all of his work. His kindness, empathy, and dedication to provide the best possible care is greatly valued by all of the children and families he works with as well as his colleagues. Dr Chavasse is a well deserving WellChild Award winner. Congratulations.”
WellChild Chief Executive, Matt James said: “The number of children and young people in the UK living with long term, complex medical needs is growing. The WellChild Awards 2023, in association with GSK, will be a unique opportunity to recognise the immense challenges they have faced and to celebrate their remarkable positivity, resilience and spirit, which is an inspiration to us all. It will also help us to shine a light on the dedication of those around them, from siblings and parent carers, to the professionals who have gone above and beyond to give them the very best chance to thrive in life.”
