NHS people are indeed special, and this blog is about some of those people.
It isn’t about the ‘system’, it isn’t about HEFT, and it isn’t about performance or politics or reconfiguration.
It is about a group of people who are making a real difference to other people’s lives.
They have been nominated by their colleagues for recognition, and judged by their peers.
Look closely at the photos, for they are this years stars and I am proud they work for my organisation.
I am humbled by their commitment, and you will be too.
Helen Meehan won the Chief Nurse’s Award (15 nominations) for developing a nationally recognised Macmillan team and acting as a Clinical Champion to develop end of life care and embed learning within all services.
Maria Kilcoyne won the Clinical Excellence Award (32 nominations) for outstanding work in the field of safeguarding across the Trust, including the development of an electronic alert system linking to clinical notes.
Our Multi Media Team won the Non Clinical Excellence Award (12 nominations) for some truly innovative work, including this DVD that has been widely praised by people facing lung cancer surgery.
Julie Bradley received the Patient Safety Award (6 nominations) for developing a really innovative tray system for our cardiac arrest trolleys that reduces checks from 113 to just 15 items.
Our Tissue Viability Team won the Faculty of Education Impact Award (12 nominations) for training our front line staff to help them make real improvements in this crucial area of care.
The Paul and Phyllis Winter Essence of Care Awards are open to all Wards and Departments. Ward 9, Good Hope Hospital (pictured) was awarded the Most Improved Ward of the year, and Ward 5 Heartlands Hospital is our Ward of the Year. These awards are heavily based on performance in our own Nurse Metrics measurement system.
Jacqui Benzecry received the Community Award for her outstanding work as Chair of the ‘Breast Friends’ charity based at Good Hope Hospital. The charity has been developed by Jacqui over 16 years and provides practical and emotional support to people undergoing treatment for breast cancer.
Clair Johnson (pictured) and Kayleigh Tricklebank won our Volunteer of the Year Award (22 nominations) during a great moment when over 30 volunteers came onto the stage to receive applause for all the work that they do for our patients and relatives.
Janina McMahon and Pauline Scialdone from our Paediatric Dermatology Department won the Patient Care Award (8 nominations). They were nominated by the mum of one of their young patients (both are in the photo) for the great care they provided to minimize the effect of his atopic eczema and help with informing his school friends.
Dr Rahul Mukherjee won the Governor’s Award for Going Above and Beyond (55 nominations!!) for his outstanding work in our Sleep and Ventilation departments where he always goes the extra mile to treat patients and to develop new services. Sister Heidi Lane was the runner up for this most hotly contested award for her truly exemplary nursing in the Heartlands Hospital cardiology unit.
Simon Jarvis received my Chief Executive’s Award (17 nominations) for his truly amazing work with our local communities, and for his innovative solutions to the concerns they raise, with Bereavement Service improvements particularly singled out for praise.
Alison Byrne received the Chairman’s Award (8 nominations) for her exceptional work on female genital mutilation, work that has been nationally recognised.
And, last but certainly not least, Irfan Khalid was given a Special Award for successfully talking down a suicidal patient from the roof of one of our hospitals. Astonishingly, this incident occurred exactly a year after a similar incident, which Irfan was unfortunately unable to prevent. What a star!
And we must mention our very special runners up too!
Sister Thersha Maharaj for inspirational team leadership within our eye services.
The Dementia Outreach Team for support and education work that has improved patient experience and reduced falls in this vulnerable group.
The Touch Screen project team for developing touch screen check in at one of our community clinics in Solihull.
Ward 11 at Heartlands Hospital (below left) for sustained improvements to nursing practice in relation to fluid balance monitoring
Bala Katyal (below right) from Radiology who has done great work on training and development across the Directorate.
Julie Smith, (below left) nominated by a patients relative for her excellent care, and her kindness, enthusiasm and warmth.
The Dermatology Team (below right) for their many innovative service developments.
Out of Hospital Services for a range of joint initiatives in the community to avoid hospital admission and support patient after discharge.
Dr Steve Taylor for promoting HIV awareness and reducing the stigma associated with the diagnosis
See what I mean?
(The Annual HEFT Staff Recognition Awards were held on 14th November – there is some more information here)