Star Award finalists 2026

Angela Rennison

York

Angie was nominated by her colleague Bernadette in recognition of the extraordinary compassion and she showed to a patient and her family during the most difficult of moments.

While supporting a patient receiving end of life care, Angie recognised that the patient’s husband (who was managing his own health challenges) was exhausted, in pain, and facing the heartbreaking possibility of having to leave his wife in her final hours. He had already spent the night sitting in a chair, determined not to leave her side, yet physically struggling to continue.

Understanding just how important those final moments together would be, Angie went above and beyond to make the impossible possible. She worked quickly and thoughtfully to source an additional hospital bed and carefully rearranged the room, creating a temporary space where husband and wife could lie side by side. She even placed signs on the door to ensure their privacy would be respected, protecting that precious time from interruption.

While clinical care took place, she stayed with the patient’s husband, offering comfort, reassurance and a compassionate presence when he needed it most. Her support helped ease his distress and ensured he did not feel alone.

When the patient died shortly after, her husband shared just how much those final moments meant to him. Being able to lie beside his wife, hold her hand, and be truly present with her at the end is something he will carry with him forever. It brought him immense comfort in his grief.

Angie’s actions transformed an incredibly painful experience into one of dignity, closeness, and love. She demonstrated the very best of compassionate care, leaving a lasting impact on a family at a time they needed it most.