Only presented to those who have demonstrated the highest of standards and excellence in their practice, these prestigious awards aim to reward the compassion, dedication and vital contribution made by Healthcare Support Workers (HCSWs) and Maternity Support Workers (MSWs) across England.
The awards are high coveted in the nursing profession and were presented by NHS England North East and Yorkshire’s, Nursing, Midwifery and Allied Health Professionals Workforce Lead, Victoria Bagshaw and Chief Midwife, Dr Tracey Cooper MBE.
The ceremony was proudly overseen by the trust’s Executive Director of Nursing, Ian Joy and Deputy Chief Nurse, Lisa Guthrie.
“We are incredibly proud of all of our healthcare support workers and the valuable contribution they make to patient care every day,” said Ian.
They are a fundamental part of our multidisciplinary team across our wards and departments and are essential to how they run, supporting the delivery of high quality and compassionate patient centred care.
Ian Joy, Executive Director of Nursing
“To have four colleagues honoured with these prestigious national wards is truly inspirational. I’m delighted for each and every one.”
Victoria Bagshaw said: “These national awards recognise the unique and individual contribution of people who have gone over and above to deliver the most excellent care or have made difficult and challenging situations much more comfortable for patients and colleagues.
“These are our third round of awards for them and they are very, very prestigious, treasured and sought out and not given easily. Of the 27,000 healthcare and midwifery support workers in our region, less than 50 awards given. It’s so fantastic to be here today to recognise the difference you make to the lives of others.”
Dr Tracey Cooper added: “These are beautiful awards to give out. The midwifery family is very small so these are very important – it’s extremely special for me to be part of this.”
Meet our Award Winners
Debbie Evans
Healthcare assistant Debbie Evans, whose career with the Newcastle Hospitals began over 40 years ago in 1981 works on Ward 17 which specialises in acute older people’s medicine.
Well respected by all of her colleagues, Debbie is described as the ‘nurturing matriarch’ of the ward, with a wealth of knowledge and life experience that she eagerly shares with all staff, and new starters in particular.
For example, Debbie volunteered to spend time with the trust’s Healthcare Academy to observe the training of new starters, enabling her to better understand their learning needs – a clear demonstration of how Debbie proactively supports others to provide high quality patient care.
Debbie also supported Newcastle’s HCSW Widening Participation Recruitment Event last year which was shortlisted for a national Nursing Times Award. She shared her knowledge and experience and knowledge, expertly co-presenting alongside a Matron and Associate Director of Nursing to showcase the HCSW role to hundreds of prospective candidates.
The event had an overwhelming response, with over a thousand attendees. Debbie was key in responding to an unprecedented situation, quickly adapted her involvement through rapid organisation.
Many staff commended Debbie on her demeanour throughout the day – she was patient and kind, reassuring and supportive. An outstanding role model for her colleagues and compassionate towards the candidates, many of whom were new to care. Put simply, “We couldn’t have done it without her”.
Alison Niman
Alison has been an integral part of the team in the children’s cardiothoracic outpatient department at the Freeman Hospital for 10 years. Nominated for her award by charge nurse David Derry, Alison is said to be known and loved by a great number of patients and their families for the care and compassion she gives.
“She makes everyone feel welcome,” explained David. “She develops a rapport quickly emphasising the need to make every encounter positive to enhance their care and treatment, whether it is their first attendance or one of many over several years.
“Potentially upsetting procedures are carried out in the department as part of the cardiac assessment and ongoing care,” he added. “Alison uses the knowledge and skills she has gained from her years in the department to assess each patient’s needs helping to relieve their anxiety enable the required assessment and procedures to be carried out.
“She always goes the extra mile, exceeding expectations through her astute observational skills and understanding of their needs. She is an invaluable, outstanding member of the team.”
Dawn Rose
Dawn is part of the Belsay Unit team, currently based on the Campus for Aging and Vitality and was nominated by senior sister Joanne Bainbridge.
Dawn joined at the Belsay Unit as a bank healthcare assistant during a very difficult time when both the senior and junior sister had periods of long term sickness. Yet as soon as she started she made an enormous difference due to her hard work, enthusiasm and positivity. So much so she was awarded three Greatix reports in recognition of the positive impact she made for patient care.
Dawn’s enthusiasm and “can do” attitude has influenced work colleagues as well as patients. Joanne explained “She always ensures patients attending clinic feel safe, comfortable and cared for. Some of the tests we carry out in the Falls and Syncope area of the service can cause great anxiety for patients.
“Dawn showed such much enthusiasm, quickly mastering the basic patient assessments herself. This meant she could understand them completely, helping her to explain everything to our patients. They know what to expect which puts them at ease and she is always there ensuring their needs are met.”
Dawn is now a valued permanent member of the team, continuing to have a hugely positive influence on everyone she meets.
Julie Carr
Julie Carr – a community midwifery support worker for almost 20 years was nominated by senior community midwife Helen Fenwick who said she has always strived to give exemplary care to every family she meets – always going the extra mile.
“Julie consistently shows commitment and passion for her role,” explained Helen. “Her experience is evident within the community of families she works with, and her knowledge and contribution to continuity of care is invaluable.”
Julie is also recognised as a role model to her fellow maternity support workers, inspiring them with her infectious drive of commitment and enthusiasm offering professional support, and she is enjoys supporting student midwives, whether that be training in venepuncture or developing their knowledge and skills in the digital maternity system.
She recently took part in a ‘Pop up shop’ as part of an education session for school children promoting midwife and maternity support worker roles – she received glowing feedback her enthusiasm about her work.
Julie is a natural leader and recently she became part of the Healthcare Support Worker Wisdom Group where she felt inspired by her peers and is keen to promote the maternity support worker role.
Her involvement in this group led to her being nominated by Lisa Guthrie, Associate Director of Nursing to take part in a Ministerial Round Table. Julie received impressive feedback from Lisa Guthrie – ‘’amazing, articulate, and inspirational.”
Congratulations to all of our award winners.
Chief Nursing Officer / Chief Midwifery Officer Awards
Healthcare support workers and maternity support workers are at the heart of clinical settings and local communities up and down the country, making a real difference every day to the lives of patients they care for and the nursing and midwifery colleagues they support.
Both are integral to our workforce and deserve recognition and celebration for all that they do. We want to recognise our support workforce and the vital role they play.
