Annual Recognition Week & The Trust Celebratory Awards 2022 - Chatterbox Special

Foreword

from Louise Barnett, Chief Executive

Annual Recognition Week and the Trust Celebratory Awards have provided a wonderful opportunity to pause, reflect and celebrate some of the incredible achievements happening across our hospitals.

We have recognised long service, thanked our volunteers, celebrated learning and development achievements, as well as marked the contribution of our military colleagues on Remembrance Day.

The Awards reflect the huge diversity of what you do, day in and day out, to support patients, our local community and each other. They highlighted the incredible work and exceptional dedication across our organisation. Hundreds of colleagues took the time to nominate individuals, or teams, with almost 400 nominations made this year.

It’s been fantastic to shine a spotlight on the contribution of some of our amazing colleagues, working in front line teams or behind the scenes, who make a real difference for our patients, communities and each other.

In the summer, the George Cross was awarded to the NHS, in recognition of over 74 years of service including the exceptional efforts of NHS staff, including all of you, during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The award, created in 1940, sits at the top of the UK honours system, joint with the military Victoria Cross, and is the highest civilian gallantry award. It is given for acts of the greatest heroism or of the most conspicuous courage in circumstances of extreme danger.

It was an incredible honour for the NHS to receive the George Cross from Her Majesty The Queen.

As part of our week of recognition and celebration, we wanted to mark this momentous occasion with you and have arranged for you each to receive a token of our sincere gratitude by way of your very own George Cross badge as a thank you for your immense courage, compassion and dedication.

We know that the Trust still faces many difficult issues and there will still be tough times ahead. Much has been done, but there still remains more still to do. I am confident that with your support, together, we will continue to make positive progress.

Annual Recognition Week and the Trust Celebratory Awards have rightly been about celebrating our achievements and feeling proud of the people we work with. This is not just our amazing winners and finalists, but all of you, our incredible colleagues working in all corners of our organisation, our community and at home, each and every day, to ensure our patients and families receive the care they need.

This has been a chance to pause for a moment and recognise how much we have collectively achieved this year. It has been phenomenal to hear all of your achievements. You are truly inspiring.

Thank you once again for everything you do.

Values Awards PARTNERING

The Clinical Placement Facilitator Team

This team embraces the essence of the Partnering value, working with a wide range of different organisations and staff groups. Fundamental to their role is the pastoral support they offer. Their early intervention, delivered with respect, care and kindness can resolve concerns in a timely and positive way that benefits students and staff and builds a positive reputation for the Trust.

The Inpatient Operational Management Team in the Therapy Centre

The team set up two networking events to strengthen the working relationships between acute and community colleagues. An opportunity to listen and understand the services available and the challenges they are facing. This event went down so well there are calls for this to happen on a regular basis. This is working towards the ICS strategy of integration and builds a positive reputation for the Trust.

WinnerEmma-Jane Beattie and the Emergency Planning Team

Emma-Jane led her team to introduce SaTH’s first large-scale disaster management training event earlier this year. Using the combined personnel of SaTH’s emergency teams along with a multitude of staff from many other areas, colleagues from many other organisations and volunteers acting as casualties. The day was meticulously planned and delivered.

Values Awards AMBITIOUS

The Ultrasound Team at RSH & PRH

In what has been a challenging year across all of health care, the ultrasound team has stepped up at every opportunity to ensure patients receive exceptional service and care. Examples of their ambitious approach include providing additional scanning services to SAU clinics, working with SDEC to improve patient experience and to reduce the time patients spend waiting for same day scan appointments.

The Buddy HCAs

Being a Buddy is a voluntary role and involves supporting new HCAs during their supernumerary shifts and beyond. The Buddies have a huge impact on our future workforce, making new staff feel confident and valued which encourages them to stay.

Rachel Bladen

WinnerRachel has been involved in an improvement project increasing the use of QR codes for pre-assessment leaflets for our patients. She has shown an amazing attitude to the project and listened to and responded to feedback to make the improvements even better and more sustainable. A great example of seeking patient feedback at every step of the process.

Values Awards CARING

The Renal Dialysis Team at RSH

This team always goes the extra mile, giving the most excellent care in what can be a complex procedure for patients. Patient experience is important to the staff in the department with feedback including: “Every member of staff of all grades is so special, working together to give patients high quality care in what is a complex procedure to enable us to lead a normal life as possible.”

The Oral Outpatient Department

In October 2021 it was identified that we had a significant backlog across the county for patients awaiting their first routine appointment. The team volunteered to work every weekend, resulting in a reduction from 44 to 16 weeks waiting time for patients. The whole team showed their dedication to improving the service and overall patient experience.

WinnerThe Macmillan Clinical Specialist Occupational Therapists

This team has been pivotal in the care of brain tumour patients. They continually strive to improve the care for our patients and carers both in and out of hospital. Often going over and above to make this happen.

Values Awards TRUSTED

The Children’s Allergy Service at PRH

Over the past 15 years, the service has expanded due to its success. The team accepts new patient referrals from GPs throughout the county as well as out of county referrals. During the pandemic the team didn’t stop the service, but reviewed how they could deliver the service differently and maintain the same standard of quality care. The team continues to strive for excellence and innovation.

The Radiology Admin Team at both PRH and RSH

The radiology admin team continually show great flexibility, adaptability and resilience within the current climate of the NHS. They continue to offer a high standard of care to all that use our services. There is still extra pressure on the team while we do our upmost to reduce waiting lists although this continues to be very difficult for them, they do not let this faze them, they take the job in hand, get it done and all still with a smile on their faces.

WinnerRebecca Bromley

Rebecca has been a Patient Journey Facilitator at RSH since March 2020. At the point of starting her role there was a global pandemic. Rebecca quickly stepped up to support Ward 32 which was the COVID-19 Ward and supported the ward with any patients who were needing to be discharged in a timely way to create capacity at the front door. She has a very strong work ethic and from the start of her role went above and beyond. Becky certainly lives and breathes the Trust’s values and deserves the recognition she has demonstrated throughout.

Learning & Development Awards

LEARNING AND DEVELOPMENT

Anderson-Woods from the Education Support

Adam has undertaken a counselling course over the last few years whilst working for the Trust. He has supported staff within his role as an Education Advisor, and has gone the extra mile to use his counselling skills to help staff whenever he comes across anyone needing more support. He has also developed and is delivering our Mental Health First Aider course at SaTH.

The Advanced Practice Reporting Team in Radiology

This team, throughout the pandemic, and with lacking staff, has developed beyond belief. Six members have been able to study at postgraduate level to undertake clinical reporting of radiological images whilst maintaining an incredible high accuracy. This team has been nothing short of amazing, juggling various things to keep both radiology departments running.

Winner

Sian Burley and Lucy Cielecki in Breast Imaging at RSH

Sian is a Advanced Practitioner in Breast Imaging and Lucy is a Advanced Clinical Practitioner in Breast Imaging. Increasing prevalence in breast cancers, workforce shortages and technological advancements have increased the need to further develop advanced practice in breast diagnosis. They work consistently hard to provide an excellent service to our patients, support their team and help to achieve high standards in Shropshire Breast Screening, whilst also supporting the work of the Symptomatic Breast Service.

Adam

Learning & Development Awards

CLINICAL RISING STAR

Dr Richard Slater

Dr Slater is a junior doctor and has been nominated for his work and support on the death certification process. The nomination says: “Dr Slater will no doubt progress to a senior role within medicine, and in doing so, he will be a good advocate to those he trains so they have the same attitude to carrying out this important work.”

Kerry is an absoultetly fantastic Ward Manager with great leadership skills. She leads by example and leads the team with a positive attitude. She is approachable, with an open door policy and supports her team both clinically and with their health and wellbeing. She is well repected by her team, the senior nursing team, clinicians and the multidisplinary team within the speciality.

Winner

Sam has been our baby friendly lead nurse for over a year now and she has gone above and beyond to improve the experience for families on the Neonatal Unit. She has been the driving force behind the Neonatal Unit achieving the BFI accreditation stage 1 for infant feeding and is working hard to help the Neonatal Unit achieve stage 2 in the future. She is a passionate, hard working nurse who deserves this recognition.

Kerry Tomlinson from Ward 8

Samantha Petridis from the Neonatal Unit at PRH

Learning & Development Awards

NON-CLINICAL RISING STAR

Nathan Picken, Medicine Flow Coordinator at PRH

Nathan has stepped into his current role and fully embraced it. He has made improvements to patient flow by reducing cancelled and aborted transports. Nathan’s leadership of the Patient Journey Facilitators has been highly valued and the team feel very supported. He has all the attributes of becoming an amazing leader with his strong work ethic and ‘can do’ approach. Nathan has been involved in a number of ward improvement projects and lives and breathes the Trust’s values.

Gillian Jervis, Emergency Centre Operations Manager at PRH

Gillian is a highly trusted and ultimate professional within the Emergency Centre who goes above and beyond to support her direct reports and wider teams. Gill strives to deliver excellence, sets out to achieve ambitions, and everything she does is underpinned by compassion and care for staff and patients.

WinnerPhil Evans, Administrator in the Therapy Centre at RSH

Phil has been in his role for just over 12 months and in that time he has not only settled into the team, but embraced the team, understood their challanges and come up with solutions to improve the team’s way of working. Phil has undertaken the Improvement Hub’s Innovation introduction days and implemented his learning within the team. He is also a SaTH Change Agent and is very active in this group. Team members report how valuable Phil is in supporting them, and in turn enabling them to deliver improvements in their patient care.

Getting to Good Awards

QUALITY IMPROVEMENT (CLINICAL)

Katie Craft, Therapy Assistant Practitioner at RSH

Katie developed a patient diary for use with critically ill patients and their families on ITU, which has been launched on both hospital sites. She presented the diary to SaTH Charity who have agreed to fund the diary going forward. The patient feedback has been amazing. This diary will have such a positive impact on the rehabilitation of patients, but also for family members to know the level of care received by their loved ones.

The Overprescribing and Discharge Medicine Team at PRH

Emily, Gemma and Lydia were employed to improve our communication and follow up on discharge for patients. In September they reached a peak of over 300 referrals which resulted in an estimated cost saving of over £250,000 for the health system. Their work is truly valuable and despite only being in post for six months they have had a huge impact.

Winner

Leeanne Morgan from Corporate Nursing at RSH

Leeanne joined SaTH a year ago as our Falls Specialist Nurse. Leeanne has worked tirelessly to improve all areas of falls prevention and post fall management. She shared her successes at the improvement conference held in May this year. Leeanne has improved compliance for falls sensor mats, yellow blankets, improvements in lying and standing blood pressure rates from 5% to a consistent compliance of over 60%. Leeanne demonstrates our Trust’s values in her interactions and is a valuable member of the organisation.

Getting to Good Awards

QUALITY IMPROVEMENT (NON-CLINICAL)

Kelly has been key in a number of ward improvements within the Medicine and Emergency Care Division. Her recent support on Ward 27 with the ward ‘Rhythm of the Day’ was commended and praised by Matron, Ward Manager, Nurse in Charge and the Improvement Team. Kelly’s commitment and work ethic is outstanding and her ‘can do’ attitude makes a difference to our patients’ discharges.

Equipment is often not easily accessible. As part of the improvement, Jackie created a chest drain kit using set-up reduction. This kit box reduces time for the doctors to under one minute and enables them to do the procedure in a timely manner and have everything they require for their patient in one place.

WinnerKev Malton from Medical Devices and Portering at RSH

Kev is one of our portering colleagues who is currently seconded to the Medical Device Library. He noted that end-of-life patients were having delays in receiving their T-34 syringe pumps. Additionally, he noted that many of the pumps had been loaned off-site and the current process resulted in many of the pumps going missing. As a result of his project, Kev reduced the time taken to deliver pumps from hours to between 5 and 10 minutes.

Jackie Jones, Housekeeper and Shirley Pickstock, Advanced Nurse Practitioner at RSH

Kelly Birch, Patient Journey Facilitator at RSH

Getting to Good Awards

Kirsty Heathcock and Imogen Brown from Pharmacy at PRH

Kirsty and Imogen started at the Trust as student pharmacy technicians and on qualifying as registered pharmacy technicians, have chosen to continue their careers at SaTH. They have identified the need for a dedicated area for students to study and created an education suite which is now a functional and protected space for all of our staff to learn and develop, whether in training positions or post-qualification.

Paul and the team undertook an improvement project to improve the time taken to connect clinical teams from SaTH and the care co-ordination teams. This reduced the burden on the switchboard and released time for directing other calls.

Winner

Devaki Nayak from Ophthalmology at RSH

Devaki developed a virtual pathway enabling patients to attend for diagnostic capture with these being reviewed at a later stage. Having never been done before, this service has now been running successfully since September 2021. This allows more patients to be reviewed, therefore reducing the backlog significantly.

Paul Corbett and the Switchboard Team

Patient & Partner Awards

VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR

Mary Chellingworth, General Outpatients at PRH

Mary is an ex service user and came to volunteer at the Trust as she felt she wanted to ‘give something back’. Mary volunteers every Wednesday, and splits her time between the Macmillan Centre at RSH and the Breast Clinic at PRH. She supports patients, colleagues and visitors alike, with a gentle smile, a soft voice at the end of the phone or even just a look that says ‘you’ve got this’.

Sally Ross Mowat

Since her initial shift as a volunteer in March 2022, Sally has logged 154 hours (and growing) in 10 different roles. The majority of her time has been in the RSH phlebotomy service where she has taken on numerous extra volunteer shifts to cover for fellow volunteers, and has been a valued part of the team. She is very reliable and does not hesitate to make herself available to help the Trust when she is able to do so.

WinnerEthan Holmes, A&E at RSH

Ethan has offered more than 60 hours of his time since July and has wholeheartedly thrown himself in at the deep end and took the challenge with open arms. He has supported the department through many critical incidents and through some really challenging weeks. Ethan is reliable, trustworthy, kind and approachable and he goes about his role completely under the radar and with such pride.

Patient & Partner Awards

PARTNER OF THE YEAR

The Fundraising Team at the Lingen Davies Cancer Fund

The Lingen Davies Cancer Fund exists to enhance cancer services for people throughout Shropshire, Telford & Wrekin, and Mid Wales. The team helps to fund and deliver new technology, equipment and resources that the NHS can’t cover and aims to improve the service for local people by working in partnership with medical colleagues. This year saw the opening of three new clinic rooms, thanks to the fund, that will enable staff to see more patients.

Steve Lovell from Ezec Medical Transport

Steve works tirelessly to ensure patients are discharged within a timely and safe manner. Steve will work on his own initiative and often stays over his work hours to help get patients home. Steve is an asset to Ezec and also a highly valued partner to SaTH.

Winner

Emily Evans and the Maternity Voice Partnership

Working in collaboration with SaTH, she is compassionate about improving care, and believes that the organisation is working hard to improve the quality of care it delivers to our women and families. She is working tirelessly on embedding the breastfeeding volunteer service which will benefit many of our families, in addition to supporting the clinical workforce on the postnatal ward.

Leadership Awards

CLINICAL LEADERSHIP

Sister Sarah Jane is devoted to our stroke ward and has the perfect attitude towards staff, patients and visitors to keep everything running smoothly and efficiently. She goes above and beyond in many different ways and always puts her staff first. Sarah Jane constantly goes the extra mile in whatever she does. In the words of her team: “She is the comfort blanket of the ward”.

Mandie Esp from Ward 25 and RSH

Ward 25 has made significant progress during 2022 and has worked hard to improve their standards of care. This has been driven by their ward manager Mandie, who has led by example and developed an excellent, highly motivated team who work well together and in doing so provide a great standard of patient care. Mandie is a fantastic role model.

Winner

Hayley Pearson from Pharmacy at RSH

Hayley has led on developing several new services in response to COVID-19, most recently the start up of the COVID Medicines Delivery Unit for Shropshire. Her personal commitment has ensured that patients, clinicians and colleagues have been provided with medicines in extremely challenging circumstances, involving rapid change and creating new clinical pathways overnight. This has required a huge personal commitment and has made such a difference for patients and families in our community.

Sarah Jane Williams-Jones from Ward 15 and 16 at PRH

Leadership Awards

NON-CLINICAL LEADERSHIP

Stuart Conroy from Decontamination Sterile Services based at Queensway

Stuart brings the Trust’s values to life and is admired by his team. He always puts the needs of the service and patients first. In the words of one of his colleagues: “If it hadn’t been for his inspiration and direction I would have left the NHS years ago. He saw value in me that no one else did. I have achieved so much more than I thought I could by myself.”

Sarah Sandy from the Inpatient Therapy Team at RSH

Sarah has identified the weaknesses in the induction process for new staff in the Inpatient Therapy Team at the RSH. As such, she decided to work on improving the experience, and she now leads regular meetings of her ‘Good Start Gurus’, a group of staff who are working together to improve processes and resources.

Sarah has also played a key role in rewarding the hard work of our respiratory physiotherapists by spearheading a certificate system to reward the ‘On-Call Warrior’.

Winner

John Skelton from the OD Team

John is an incredible line manager for the OD team. He supports his team’s ideas and most importantly listens and allows his team members to look at new ways of working. John starts team meetings with a wellbeing check in and his team know he will always give them 100% of his time, effort and attention. His knowledge of OD and SaTH is exceptional, and he demonstrates the Trust’s values and behaviours consistently.

Public Recognition Award

Guy Calcott, Consultant, and the Early Pregnancy Team

The Early Pregnancy Team provides care to families suffering from complications of early pregnancy, such as miscarriage and ectopic pregnancy. The team has been fully receptive to new ways of working, embracing change and helping to continually drive improvements to provide the best possible care. The nomination describes the team as being “supportive, friendly and invested in the patient’s experience”. It also highlighted the team’s efficiency, with prompt follow ups and communication throughout.

Maria Brownfield, Midwife at RSH

Maria had always been fascinated by pregnancy and birth and wanted to make a difference in women’s lives, so after completing a business degree she decided to follow her passion and began a career in midwifery. Maria’s nomination describes her as a “professional and approachable” individual delivering “outstanding” care. It details how Maria had made special arrangements to be at the birth with her patient (a planned c-section) which made them feel “really safe knowing she was there to help.”

WinnerLorna McQuaid, Bank Healthcare Assistant at PRH

Lorna joined SaTH as a Bank Healthcare Assistant (HCA) in 2010 and has worked across a range of hospital services, including the Emergency Department, Acute Medical Unit and Delivery Suite. Her nomination describes her as an “outstanding” member of staff who treats patients with “care and compassion”.

CHAIR’S AWARD

Chair & CEO Awards Winner

Dr Mei-See Hon

We are incredibly lucky and fortunate to have Mei-See. Not only is she a fantastic doctor –her patients love her – but she is also a very kind, caring and compassionate person who is extremely popular amongst her colleagues. Mei-See goes above and beyond what is expected of her, and is an oasis of calm amidst a sea of extremely demanding challenges. Mei-See will always ensure she does what’s right for the women, babies, and families in her care. She will let nothing get in the way of this, which is testament to her professionalism and commitment to her work. Thank you for everything you do, Mei-See.

CHIEF EXECUTIVE AWARD

Winner

The Radiology Team

The Radiology team has shown true commitment to patient care and are exemplary in everything they do. During the pandemic the team embraced new technologies, ways of working and developed a new diagnostic hub.

They have been resilient and adaptable to difficulties ranging from unexpected staff shortages to sickness. They have maximised the efficiency of the scanners, extending working days and weekend working and providing acute care 24/7. None of this could have been done without some really special team working. They are integral to the patient journey throughout our hospitals and they are thoroughly deserving of this award.

Chair & CEO Awards

LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD

Warren Perks, Consultant Physician

Warren started at SaTH in the 1980s and since then, he has been instrumental in both establishing and delivering a number of our services. Throughout his career, his commitment to SaTH, patients, and colleagues has been remarkable. He is a fantastic teacher, having taught and mentored many students over the years, and his long and illustrious career has had a huge impact on so many.

Helen Coleman, Lead Nurse for Education and Quality

Helen has been a nurse for over 40 years. Since joining the Trust, she has held positions such as ITU manager, head of nursing, lead nurse for dementia, and latterly lead nurse for education and quality. She is committed, well-respected, and an amazing role model. Helen was recently awarded an Honorary Fellowship from Glyndwr Wrexham University, as well as a prestigious Cavell Star Award for her contribution and services to nursing.

WinnerSam Adjepong, Upper Gastrointestinal Surgeon, based at PRH

Sam is a truly exceptional colleague who supports others to become the very best clinicians they can be through his extraordinary commitment, skill, and compassion. Last year he won the Dr Webster Award for ‘Long-standing Commitment and Skill as a Medical Educator’ during the Annual William Farr Memorial Lecture, having received several nominations from colleagues highlighting his dedication to teaching, training and medical education. Over the years, Sam has consistently gone over and above for others and his mentorship has shaped so many careers along the way. As the recipient of the Trust’s Lifetime Achievement Award, we recognise Sam’s immense contribution and thank him for his exemplary service.

Annual Recognition Week took place from Monday 7 November and offered a lovely opportunity to pause, reflect and celebrate some of the incredible achievements happening across our hospitals.

During the week we held four special events that recognised long service, volunteers, learning and development, as well as the contribution of our military colleagues on Remembrance Day.

Turn over to find out more…

Our first event, on Monday 7 November, was the first of four events celebrating the fantastic achievements of long-standing colleagues - the 2022 Long Service Awards.

We said a huge thank you to more than 70 members of staff, who have achieved their 25 or 40 year milestone in the NHS, with an awards ceremony and afternoon tea.

It was a great opportunity to celebrate colleagues and thank them for their commitment and dedication to the NHS over the last 25 or 40 years.

R E C OGNITION 2022

Our second event, on Tuesday 8 November, was our Volunteers Recognition Event. We recognised all of our volunteers who give up their time to support our colleagues and enhance patient experience across our hospitals.

We heard from volunteers at the Trust about their role and what it means to them and our patients. The event included highlights from across the year, a special staff ‘thank you’ video and more.

CELEBRATION

On day three, Wednesday 9 November, we celebrated all the fantastic work that has taken place in Learning and Development over the last 12 months.

Held at The Shropshire Education and Conference Centre (SECC), RSH, certificates of recognition were handed out to attendees who had successfully completed Care Certificates, SaTH Improvement Fundamentals and apprenticeships.

It was great to hear about all the different fields that colleagues had gained skills in. We also heard about all the great opportunities on offer for learning and development at the Trust.

On the final day of our Annual Recognition Week, Friday 11 November, we recognised the strong ties between the armed forces and the NHS.

We held a special Remembrance Event at The Shropshire Education and Conference Centre (SECC), RSH, where we honoured the contribution of serving personnel, reservists, veterans, military families and the emergency services alike.

The event was led by Nigel Lee, Interim Director of Strategy and Partnerships, alongside Rev. Mervyn Williams, Chaplain. A number of our colleagues also shared their own personal reflections during the service.