BBC newsreader puts spotlight on NHS staff who make a difference
The outstanding achievements of NHS staff were recognised at Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust’s annual staff achievement awards on Thursday 26 June.
BBC newsreader Nicholas Owen hosted the special event, which praised and awarded staff for their hard work and outstanding contribution to the Trust.
Hundreds of staff were nominated for the Make a Difference awards, which took place at the Hilton Metropole in Edgware Road.
Dr Tracey Batten, chief executive of Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust, welcomed the 22 finalists for the 2015 awards.
She said: “This is a wonderful opportunity to celebrate so many excellent achievements of staff across our Trust. Finalists were chosen from hundreds of nominations, which were supported by managers, colleagues and patients. I thank and congratulate all of our finalists for their outstanding efforts.
“I have spent time visiting wards and departments, where I have witnessed at first hand the fantastic work our staff do across all our services. I am proud that our staff are consistently seen by patients as caring and compassionate.
“We endeavor to play our full part in helping all those patients we serve. We can only do this by truly harnessing the amazing expertise, experience and enthusiasm of our 10,000 staff and volunteers.”
Dr Batten added: “Our awards ceremony allows us a chance to reflect and celebrate some amazing achievements as well as to aspire to many more. I would like to thank the Imperial College Healthcare Charity for their continued support our staff recognition programme, through both the in-year awards and this annual ceremony.”
Among the award winners were Dr Won-Ho Edward Park, the Trust’s clinical oncology consultant, who was named ‘Individual of the year’. This award is presented to someone who has made an outstanding contribution and has gone above and beyond what is expected. Other award winners were:
Lifetime achievement: Karen Bradley, senior nurse for oncology and haematology, Hammersmith Hospital
Volunteer of the year: Caroline Weiland, maternity bereavement counsellor, St Mary’s Hospital and Queen Charlotte’s and Chelsea Hospital
Chairman’s award: 1st floor senior nurses, St Mary’s Hospital
Team of the year: Employee relations advisory service.
Further details about the award winners are set out below.
Individual of the year: Dr Won-Ho Edward Park, the Trust’s clinical oncology consultant
Dr Edward Park has taken a leading role in guiding and welcoming specialist registrars to his department. He oversees induction and allocates the best rotations educationally. He has gone above and beyond his role and helped to establish the pathway for the insertion of vascular devices for patients undergoing chemotherapy. This has resulted in doctors having more time to see patients and to carry out clinics. Dr Ed Park said: “I was a bit shocked but it’s lovely to be recognised in this way. Really, it is recognition for the whole clinical oncology team!”
Lifetime achievement: Karen Bradley, senior nurse for oncology and haematology, Hammersmith Hospital
This award is presented to a member of staff with at least 10 years’ service who consistently demonstrates commitment and passion for the service they deliver. Karen’s leadership has resulted in the clinical haematology service flourishing and delivering some of the best patient experience scores in the Trust. She instills enormous confidence amongst her team and is an inspiration to those who work with her. Karen said: “When I joined Hammersmith Hospital in 1992 I wanted to work in a world renowned haematology and bone marrow transplant unit and I feel privileged that I have been able to realise my ambition and latterly I have had the opportunity to shape services, working amongst a great team of nurses. I am truly shocked and honoured.”
Chairman’s award: 1st floor senior nurses, St Mary’s Hospital
The senior nursing team across the first floor admission areas has been focused on strengthening leadership and teamwork. They have worked together to increase engagement within the team, producing a newsletter and making sure staff are recognised for their efforts, as well as holding monthly meetings to ensure good communication. To meet the needs of all clinical areas, the individual teams work together to review and prioritise tasks on a daily basis. The whole team has remained energetic and focused and consistently acts as a role model for other areas. Joanna Fisher from the team said: “I am enormously proud of the team. Everyone has worked exceptionally hard.”
Volunteer of the year: Caroline Weiland, maternity bereavement counsellor, St Mary’s Hospital and Queen Charlotte’s & Chelsea Hospital
This award is presented to someone who volunteers for the Trust and offers an invaluable service for patients, while demonstrating outstanding care and compassion. Caroline has made a significant difference to maternity bereavement services at the Trust, counselling couples who have had a stillbirth or late miscarriage. Her colleagues describe how they feel privileged that she is part of the team, offering a service that compliments the care they provide. Caroline also helps arrange an annual memorial service for babies and children. Caroline said: “It has been my privilege to work with wonderful parents during their worst time. Enabling them to talk with someone who is trained – I get so much out of it.”
Team of the year: Employee relations advisory service (Trust wide)
This award is presented to a team who has made an outstanding contribution to the Trust and has gone above and beyond what is expected of them. The employee relations advisory service provides training, employment relations advice and support to line managers. The team regularly requests feedback from service users and visits clinical areas to achieve a better understanding of the organisation and the needs of managers. Madeleine Van Egghen from the team said: “We are passionate about supporting managers so they can get on with the day job.”
