National recognition for healthcare support workers

Four healthcare support workers (HCSWs) at Medway Maritime Hospital have received an NHS England Chief Nursing Officer Award for their compassion and vital contribution to the NHS.

Gemma Heale, who works on the neonatal unit; Alison Simpson, who worked on McCulloch Ward and Monica Ioan, who worked on the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) at the time they were both nominated, and Yvonne Horsley, who works on Trafalgar General High Dependency Unit (GHDU), were recently presented with their awards by NHS England’s Regional International recruitment Lead for Allied Health Professionals (AHPs) Kehinde Yinka-Adebisi. The hospital’s Deputy Chief Nursing Officer Steph Gorman was also present to congratulate the winners.

The awards aim to reward and recognise the vital contribution made by HCSWs in England to nursing and midwifery practice. Only a few are awarded each year.

Staff were selected from nominations submitted by their colleagues and managers.

The nominations said:

Gemma ensures staff wellbeing is a priority and is extremely conscientious, she has a lead role in procurement of supplies, including stock control, she cleans equipment ensuring it always ready to use. Gemma recently competed training making her a Well-Being Champion, Mental Health First Aider and TRIM Practitioner. She is an integral member of the NICU wellbeing team.

Alison has worked in the respiratory ward for 28 years. She has consistently delivered the best care to our patients. She has given training to new staff and works with them to provide person centred care. She communicates well and has built positive relationships with everyone.

Monica has consistently demonstrated exceptional dedication, compassion, and competence in her role, making a profound difference in the lives of our patients and the effectiveness of our clinical team. Monica constantly puts the needs and wellbeing of patients first, she is known for her considerate and empathetic approach to patient care, which has a significant impact on the overall patient experience.

Yvonne demonstrates a huge amount of skill in the delivery of care to our patients and in her duty as Clinical Stores and Equipment Lead. Yvonne works with her colleagues in a positive and productive way taking time to recognise the needs of her colleagues and identify how best to address the most appropriate way to deliver quality care.

As part of the awards, each recipient is encouraged to become a healthcare support worker Ambassador, a role that involves taking every opportunity to raise the profile of healthcare support workers, both in the public arena and within the workplace.

Sarah Vaux, Interim Chief Nursing Officer, said: “HCSWs are at the heart of our hospital and make a real difference to the lives of patients and colleagues every day.

“These awards recognise and celebrate HCSWs who go above and beyond their everyday roles to provide excellent care to patients and support their colleagues.

“I am thrilled to see that the work Gemma, Alison, Monica and Yvonne do has been recognised at a national level. It’s very well deserved.”

Source: medway.nhs.uk