This award is an opportunity for patients, families, visitors and Trust colleagues to say ‘thank you – you made a difference’ to a member of staff or a team for anything (however small!) that helped make their experience of our services better.
Shine a Light Award Winner – October 2014
Val Cooke, Lead Sexual Health Nurse, Orwell Clinic, Ipswich IP3 9FA
Val Cooke was nominated by Dr Raouf Moussa for being their caring sexual health lead nurse who always puts the patients and staff needs above hers. She always volunteers to do the unsocial hours and the long shifts to maintain patient care and to support her colleagues and the service. Patients love her, with many appraisal comments and rewarding feedback and it is common to see the complimentary cards, chocolates and flowers sent to Val from the patients in the coffee room.
Val was appointed the sexual health lead nurse a few years ago and with success she fulfilled all the managerial commitments of the new role; however, it was her decision not to reduce her clinical input. She decided to be available at the clinical scene all the time to support the flow of patient care and support her staff from October 2013 until May 2014. The sexual health service went through a big challenge, and the service was badly damaged as they lost their accommodation and were left with only 2 clinical rooms. Val showed a wonderful solidarity and passion to accommodate staff concerns and support patient complaints. It was a difficult time to go through and Val was able to support her staff and the service.
Well done to Val!
Other nominations for October include:
Wendy Smith, Diabetic Nurse, Community Clinic, Princess of Wales Hospital, Ely
Wendy was nominated by a patient for always being ready to call and see them as soon as possible. She even offered to take the dog for a walk!”
Anna Wcislo, Health Care Assistant/Phlebotomist, Luton Treatment Centre
Anna was nominated by Rachel Kremer for her work in the phlebotomy department but also for helping out to fill staff shortages as a health care assistant in the Luton Treatment Centre. She is a lovely person to both patients and also staff and always willing to go the extra mile. She also has a wonderful smile.
Natalie Colton, Administrator, Block 9, Ida Darwin, Fulbourn, Cambridge
Natalie was commended by Jennie Wilson for constantly making a huge difference to the efficient working of their team. She goes above and beyond her remit to ensure efficient running of numerous appointment bookings and liaison between therapists and families. She also co-ordinates multiple clinics in order that they run efficiently, helping with the planning of these and ensuring all therapists have the paperwork / information they need to be able to carry out their jobs well.
She has a wonderful manner with families which have been commented on numerous times by families that are treated. She also has to deal with very confrontational telephone calls from time to time and always handles these situations with the upmost professionalism and empathy for families at all times. She makes a difference every day to our therapy teams (both Physiotherapy and Occupational therapy) and to the families we treat. The department couldn't run without her!
Hazel Pearce, Health Advisor, Suffolk Sexual Health Service
Hazel was nominated by Allison Chaplin for her quick reactions in helping a member of staff who fell unwell whilst working at the Bury St Edmunds CaSH service. This person fell unconscious and was struggling to breath. Hazel followed her BLS training which she had had the day before, located the defibrillator and looked after the patient until the ambulance service arrived.
Toni Marie Doherty, Community Liaison Sister, Integrated Discharge Team (IDT) Luton
Toni was nominated by Linda Sharkey for being a much valued member of the IDT, who has enviable communication and interpersonal skills, which have not only allowed her to work effectively and efficiently in some very difficult and challenging situations but also to engage with other professionals in a recent recruitment fair held locally and inform them of the opportunities in working with CCS.
She found attending the Fair 'fun in a sort of funny way' and it showed CCS in a really positive light and encouraged others to think about community nursing within a hospital environment. Toni has recently undertaken a Masters module in Continuing Health Care - sponsored by CCS and for which her seminar achieved a merit pass! Well Done!
Recruitment Team - Carolyn Watson, Becky Wimbleton & Anne Foley, Recruitment
Carolyn, Becky and Anne were nominated by Linda Sharkey for being fantastic during the year setting up and leading recruitment fairs, open days and supporting the teams to 'sell our services. Luton has significant difficulties in recruiting due to its proximity to London, by driving 4 miles more staff can be paid London Weighting.
It’s been good humoured, passionate and a lesson to the clinical teams on how hard the teams behind the scenes work to support them.
Congratulations to everyone who was nominated!