Extraordinary NHS workers were honoured at the third annual Shine Awards last night - held on the 75th anniversary of the lifesaving service.
Frontline nurses to backroom staff at the Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust had been shortlisted from 430 nominations submitted by colleagues.
The glittering awards evening was held in a giant marquee on the site of Broomfield Hospital, supported by The Echo as media partner.
Award-winner Kevin Garrod, who runs the Anchor Programme creating employment opportunities for hundreds of residents, had double reason to celebrate with his team winning a nationwide NHS Parliamentary Award earlier in the day.
After being named Partnership Award winner, he said: "The key part to remember in all this is we're changing lives for people. My team gives residents an opportunity to have a career in the NHS who might not otherwise get the chance to be seen.
"And what better day to win - it's the 75th anniversary of the NHS. Yes, it has its challenges but the core strength and reason behind the NHS is as strong as ever.
"I'm so pleased for my team and all my colleagues. It's amazing to be recognised locally and nationally."
Demi Collingridge, an internationally trained midwife, was named Rising Star. She told the Echo: "I'm so pleased to be recognised, but I was not expecting that. I've been here less than a year but I'm really enjoying it.
"I work with, train and support our international midwives. They're a vital part of our team and the NHS."
Staff from across the three main hospital sites - Basildon, Southend and Broomfield - were well represented, alongside colleagues from various satellite facilities.
Speaking at the event, Hannah Coffey, acting chief executive, said: “This year’s awards are particularly poignant as they take place on the same day the NHS celebrates its 75th anniversary.
"We have such an amazing and talented workforce, it’s a privilege to celebrate the achievements of staff and their tireless dedication to patient care.
"Winter was a real challenge - we've never had a winter like it before. But we've dragged ourselves out of those challenging times. We're transforming services, quickly and efficiently.
"Every one of you, and those who are not here tonight, have been relentless in your drive and ethusiasm."
Many humble staff would say they were just doing their jobs, but all deserved to be on the shortlist of 27 finalists across nine planned categories. Up to 150 colleagues, stakeholders and members of the trust’s executive team attended.
Nigel Beverley, trust chairperson, said: “It’s so inspiring to hear the many stories about the work of our staff and the difference they are making to the thousands of people who use our services every day.
"Events like this are so important to recognise and celebrate the fantastic achievements of our staff who are literally saving lives every day.”
He went on to thank Hannah Coffey for her "amazing contribution" during an "extremely tough year."
In a surprise twist a 10th award was announced on the night for Kelly McGovern, director of nursing and deputy chief nursing officer, who was handed a special chief executive award.
An emotional Jane Gilby, who was the first acute hospital Admiral Nurse in Essex, works with dementia patients.
After winning the individual Outstanding Achievement award, she said: "I just love supporting the patients and their families to really make a difference. We have great links with Dementia UK - that relationship is vital. I'm really shocked and would like to thank my incredible colleagues."
Loud cheers erupted as The Acute Stroke Nurses won the team award for Outstanding Achievement.
Nikitta Bennett, team leader and stroke clinical nurse specialist, said: "We're shocked, we didn't think we would win. We're going to keep doing what we're doing - really making a difference for our patients."
Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust is one of the largest trusts in the country, employing up to 18,000 people.
Finalists were chosen from the hundreds of nominations by a panel of judges, including patients, before the final 27 were decided upon for the event sponsored by Cloud 21, a consulting and technology services company.
Meet your winners:
Rising Star award
Winner: Demi Collingridge, Internationally Trained Midwife Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE) Lead
This award recognises an exceptional student, trainee, apprentice or someone in a development role (clinical or non-clinical), who has demonstrated their commitment to learning and development.
Since joining the trust in September, Demi has developed and implemented a successful training programme for internationally educated midwives to assess their clinical competence.
Not only does Demi support with practical and clinical development, she also gives pastoral support to midwives arriving from different countries.
Spotlight award
Winner: Dawn Haigh, Lead for Interpreting and Translation service
This award recognises our unsung heroes - the team or individual whose work to support the delivery of high-quality services can sometimes go unnoticed.
Dawn has worked hard to create a new interpreting and translation service that is professional, patient-focused and easy to access. She is dedicated to improving patient experience for people whose first language isn’t English, ensuring that they know what is happening to them and so they don’t feel marginalised.
New Ideas award
Winner: Helen Sturgess, Clinical Lead, Highly Specialist Speech and Language Therapist
This award is given to the team or individual who has developed new and inventive ways of working, improving processes to provide better services.
Helen has developed a new speech and language therapy pathway, which has helped patients access the service more quickly.
Helen led the project, working closely with Provide, to create presentations and scripts for videos. The work has also freed up capacity for therapists in the service.
The new pathway was introduced in January, and by March waiting times were reduced by a third.
Patient Champion award
Winner: Jan Thomas, Associate Practitioner
This award recognises the team or individual who has exceeded expectations in providing excellent and compassionate patient care.
Jan has been working in the NHS for 42 years, during which time she has built strong and caring relationships with both colleagues and patients.
Jan takes great pride in her work. During the pandemic, Jan made cakes for her colleagues at Broomfield Hospital and also created a special card in a heart shape for patients and relatives.
There are lots of stories Jan could share about going over and above for her patients.
Leadership award
Winner: George Sioftanos, Consultant Clinical Oncologist
This award recognises an individual who inspires, motivates and encourages colleagues to bring about change, improvement or innovation, championing equality and inclusion.
George is an exceptional leader – visible, supportive, encouraging, and respectful to all staff.
He was instrumental in setting up an acute oncology assessment unit at Southend Hospital. This helped to improve emergency pathways for patients helping them have a more positive hospital experience. It’s also helped reduce the workload for our emergency department and medical colleagues.
George is also actively involved in educating the next generation of medics.
Partnership award
Winner: Kevin Garrod, Anchor Programme Manager
This award recognises teams or individuals working collaboratively and across team, professional or organisational boundaries to improve services.
Kevin works tirelessly to ensure residents of mid and south Essex have access to quality employment and that our hospitals support the wider physical, social and environmental factors which impact the wellbeing of local communities.
He works with 30 external organisations to support our community through the Anchor Programme, a first in the region, which has helped the trust get national recognition.
Kevin’s leadership of the programme has supported around 600 students with online training, 87 per cent of whom are now planning a career in healthcare. Since April 2019, Kevin has supported 358 local work placements and almost 600 apprentices.
Making a Difference award
Winner: Craig Alexander, Systems Administrator
This award recognises the team or individual who has gone above and beyond expectations to deliver high-quality customer service which improves the experience of patients, colleagues, visitors and carers, with a focus on kindness, dignity and inclusion.
Since his first day in the Occupational Health department, Craig has been an outstanding member of the team.
As well as providing excellent customer service, Craig has worked tirelessly to support projects for the department, including the upgrade to the Occupational Health and Wellbeing software system.
Craig has made sure the system meets the digital needs of the service, ironing out longstanding issues. Staff now benefit from an improved digital occupational health and wellbeing service, which is better equipped to support our patients and should help make for a healthier workforce.
Outstanding Achievement award
Winner (Individual): Jane Gilby, Admiral Nurse
This award recognises the individual or team who has made the most significant contribution to continuously improving patient outcomes, safety and experience, or staff wellbeing.
Jane has been in nursing since 1988 and was the first acute hospital Admiral Nurse in Essex, supporting patients with dementia.
She is a huge advocate for specialist support and provision in hospital settings, and helping people recognise the impact that dementia has on people living with it and their families and carers.
Jane is known and respected across the trust, and with our partners in the wider health and social care system.
Jane has supported people with dementia to live good quality lives. Her genuine warmth and compassion are incomparable.
Outstanding Achievement award
Winner (Team): Acute Stroke Nursing team
The Acute Stroke Nursing team developed a new standard operating procedure for requesting CT angiogram scans.
The new procedure has helped reduce the time it takes for potential thrombectomy patients to have a scan after their initial referral. It is now being implemented by other stroke services in the East of England as an example of best practice.
The team are working across all hospital sites to align services. They also work closely with partners across the integrated care system.
Nominaton shortlist:
Rising Star
- Demi Collingridge, Internationally Trained Midwife Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE) Lead
- George Hales, Foundation Year 2 Doctor
- Macy Underdown, Healthcare Assistant
Spotlight
- Dawn Haigh, Lead for Interpreting and Translation service
- Paul Hepworth, Emergency Preparedness and Resilience Manager
- Andrew Cottle, General Porter
Patient Champion
- Jan Thomas, Associate Practitioner
- Nikki Tuffin, Roald Dahl Non-malignant Haematology Clinical Nurse Specialist
- Hospital@Home team
New Ideas
- Helen Sturgess, Clinical Lead, Highly Specialist Speech and Language Therapist
- Simon Haley, Finance Manager
- Melody Zondo, Junior Sister
Leadership
- George Sioftanos, Consultant Clinical Oncologist
- Suzanne Hoare, Associate Director of Nursing for Urgent and Emergency Care Improvement
- Pankaja Kamble, Senior Sister
Partnership
- Kevin Garrod, Anchor Programme Manager
- Samantha Barton, Technology Enhanced Learning Developer
- Joe Hicks, Education Centre Supervisor
Making a Difference
- Craig Alexander, Systems Administrator
- Matthew Everard, Catering Storesperson
- Alixe Scott, Switchboard Operator
Outstanding Individual
- Jane Gilby, Admiral Nurse
- Sue Middleton, Cardiac Rehabilitation Clinical Nurse Specialist/Team Leader
- Flordeliza Hills, Emergency Nurse Practitioner
Outstanding Team
- Acute Stroke Nursing team
- Broomfield Emergency Department Nursing team
- Broomfield Neonatal team
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