Today we celebrated our healthcare support workers with a very special event to say thank you for all that they do, and celebrate the fundamental contribution they make to patient care.
During the past few weeks our staff were asked to nominate their colleagues for an award with five categories to choose from, and over 140 submissions were received.
It wasn’t an easy task but they were whittled down to five overall winners and some very special commendations.
Deputy Chief Nurse Ian Joy gave out the awards and explained why they are so important: “Our healthcare support workers are essential members of our clinical teams, providing fundamental care to patients across both our community and hospital settings as well as vital support to their colleagues.
“Their role is crucial to how we strive to deliver the high quality standards of patient care that we expect, and I know that they take that responsibility very seriously.”
Kristina Simpson and Becky Cavanagh from the HCSW Development Team continued: “Today’s Healthcare Support Worker Celebration Event is about recognising and rewarding the amazing work all Healthcare Support Workers across the Trust do every day to provide care and compassion to patients and their families.
“Without HCSWs, we would not be able to provide this care and we want them to know how much they are valued, both as individuals and as teams.”
Of the awards Ian added “I was personally very humbled reading through all the nominations, getting a real feel for why they were nominated by their colleagues, and feel very privileged to give out these awards today.”
And the Winners are…
Direct care award – Emily Robinson, critical care assistant from Ward 18, RVI
This award recognises dedication and commitment in the provision of the highest standards of care.
Colleagues nominated Emily having witnessed her devoted and steadfast approach to ensuring patients received the best care possible during the incredibly difficult period throughout COVID. Detail in her nominations included:
“… for her dedication to COVID care and her commitment to her ward, the trust and her family. Emily’s brother was classed as high risk for COVID and she took the decision to move into a hotel for 10 weeks so that she could commit herself to her full-time position on ITU.
“Many staff members dedicated themselves … each should be recognised in their own right but for someone as young as Emily to volunteer to work week after week so that she could give continuity of care to patients who were very sick or dying, deserves a special recognition.”
Congratulations Emily!
Leading the Way Award – Samantha Thirlwell from Ward 40, Gynaecology at the RVI
The winning nomination was particularly touching.
Whilst the whole team worked tirelessly to care for a particularly complex patient during a three month period, Samantha’s approach to delivering outstanding care during challenging circumstances really stood out and was the unanimous winner.
Described as an “excellent role model to others” and a “constant, calming presence” her nominations included:
“Not only providing essential health care but providing the ‘human touch’, she provided very individualised, person-centred care… using her reflective skills to engage the patient but mindful of other patients’ needs…”
“… above and beyond taking the patient out for fresh air, to the shops and for a coffee… often forgot her card or cash – Samantha spent her own money …”
“… facilitated the patient in writing letters for staff before discharge, this really helped the patient detach from us and gave her the ability to say goodbye and thank you.”
A true inspiration – thank you Sam.
Embracing New Technology Award – Cara Bower, healthcare assistant, outpatient department at the Freeman Hospital
It was great to see lots of nominations for this award but Cara was recognised by multiple members of her team for dedication to embracing new technology, with every single one of her colleagues highlighting her pioneering spirit towards embedding Paperlite as the departmental Champion. Her nominations included:
“… she supported all her colleagues with patience and respect even though many found the new system overwhelming…worked with new staff members showing them how to use the vital electronic systems.”
“She has become the go to person for any questions IT from her colleagues at all levels from other healthcare assistants to medical staff… she has a large responsibility of managing the ordering and stock for the department … she streamlined the process and also identified areas where alternatives products could save the department money.”
Congratulations Cara!
Nurturing New Talent Award – Lynn Carver, maternity support worker, Newcastle Birthing Centre
This award sought individuals who used their best skills and knowledge to support new colleagues joining the team – those who really took the time to make sure those new to the department were welcomed and knew there was someone there to look out for them.
This year’s Winner clearly shows all the attributes we were looking for – Lynn Carver, who has worked in Newcastle’s maternity unit for 25 years, is described as “welcoming and kind from the minute women and their partners step through the maternity doors.” Her nominations included:
“I am one of the maternity support workers who works alongside Lynn and to say I have the upmost respect for her is an understatement… I could not have found a better mentor to learn from.
“She has taught me and any team member requiring assistance how it is to really care for women and their families, how to communicate in what can be the most sensitive of times with a fundamental ability to make any situation have a positive outlook.
“When it comes to the team, Lynn is at the heart of this and maintains the staff’s morale.
“She takes an interest in each and every one of us and is always there should we need to talk about anything that has happened, again with a positive outlook.”
Healthcare Special Award – Lyanne Carey, healthcare assistant, Ward 33 Clinical Haematology, Northern Centre for Cancer Care
This award received numerous nominations – so many really stood out.
However, we wanted to recognise one colleague in particular who was nominated, not only by her own team, but by other support workers across the Trust.
The winner – Lyanne Carey who works on Ward 33, Clinical Haematology at the Freeman Hospital – was nominated for going above and beyond in supporting her whole team.
She was also felt to be deserving of this special award having supported the Trust’s Healthcare Support Worker Programme from the outset.
She:
- volunteered to be a ‘Meet and Greet’ at our HCSW recruitment days on her day off
- wrote the HCSW survey in her own time
- attended Regional NHS England Meetings as a HCSW representative.
We are very grateful for her support – thank you and congratulations Lyanne.
Special commendations
There were so many nominations that stood out and we have a final list of special commendations:
Direct Care Award
- Jodie Taylor was recognised with 7 nominations for her exceptionally caring attitude
- Richard Coates with 3 nominations for his fantastic contribution to Ward 38 ITU
- Michela Northcott who was deservingly nominated by a patient’s relative for excellent care
- Karen Watson with 3 nominations for her excellent care to mothers and babies
- Terri McNulty for always giving 110% and boosting staff morale
- Susan Armstrong for being a ray of sunshine on Ward 34
Leading the Ward Award
- Anna Peace for her outstanding contribution to our palliative care service
- Dianne Turner for creating the “Trusted Friends” Support group
- Lisa Morgan for her ongoing commitment to Cardio theatres and outstanding care she provides for children and their families
Embracing Technology Award
- Olivia Milburn for being a breath of fresh air with a positive outlook, running pilates classes in her spare team to improve wellbeing for an exhausted team
Nurturing New Talent Award
- Dan Savory nominated twice for his excellent support for new colleagues and for giving them the time and support they need
- Jeanette Pike nominated twice for building strong long-lasting relationships with new staff enabling them to learn and develop in their roles
- Gavin Spurs also nominated twice for being kind and compassionate and sharing his knowledge with new staff
- Gemma Brown for providing a huge level of support even when new to the role herself
- Emma Hauxwell nominated twice for her excellent contribution and support across the entire ward team
Event was “an absolute joy”
In closing Ian Joy said the event had been “an absolute joy” adding “each and every one of you is recognised by your team, the senior team and the organisation as a whole”.
Newcastle’s healthcare support workers provide care on our wards and clinics, in the community, on critical care units, in maternity and in theatres.
They not only provide care and support but are pivotal to helping to shape and develop how the healthcare support worker role should look in the future.
Newcastle Hospitals’ HSCW Development Team is here to raise the profile of HCSWs and the excellent care they provide across the organisation, ensuring equal access to any form of support, training, development and career progression.
Contact us
If you have any feedback from this event or any other workstreams, Kristina and Becky would love to hear from you and can be contacted at nuth.HCSWdevelopment@nhs.net
