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.

The winner for February was:

Dawn Rhodes, Contraception and Sexual Health Nurse, iCaSH Suffolk - Lowestoft Clinic

Dawn was nominated by her colleague Sarah Montagu for her ongoing support and outstanding help in working many extra hours to help cover long term sickness and staff resignations within the team. Her dedication has allowed the clinic to function more smoothly and to maintain capacity to see patients, which would have been lost if she had not been prepared to do so many extra hours.

Dawn has worked in the Contraception and Sexual health service for 25 years. Her positive attitude and enthusiasm for work are an inspiration to all of the staff working in the Lowestoft Clinic

Congratulations to Dawn!

Also nominated this month:

Natalie Butcher, Project Support Officer – Workforce Information, Corporate

James Gingell nominated Natalie for linking the ICTS Accounts to the ESR number. This has meant that the team have been able to triangulate the ICTS account to the directorate, business unit, service and team and have been able to target redundant ICTS accounts. Previously there was no linkage between the ICTS accounts and the ESR system. This new intelligence and data set has meant the team will be able to reduce the excess charges for ICT Activity considerably this year and carry this new and efficient model into 2017/18. 

Debbie Barham, Admin Lead, East Cambs and Fenland, Dynamic Health 

Sarah Saul nominated Debbie Barham for her strong leadership and the strong followership she displays. Although new to the NHS she had many years of business/other mgt experience and this helped her cope with many staff changes whilst she drove massive change in ways of working/new roles and responsibilities with training and development across the group. She has created an ethos of working together and sharing roles/tasks/responsibilities. She encourages flexibility and works hard to foster a "practice what she preaches" attitude. She operates a strong ship and works hard for the service both locally and beyond. She never shy’s away from anything and offers to help others when other challenges hit other areas. She has supported and mentored admin leads who have found the role a challenge. She also stepped into a vacant post to assist the Cambridge locality whilst also continuing to oversee her own three sites and worked though many issues within this locality to help its performance.

The team value her openness, honesty, frankness, sense of humour, can do attitude, willingness to assist others, dedication, flexibility and also her strength and courage in pursuing what’s right for the patient and service. She is a rock and the EcandF locality would not run so efficiently and effectively without her input and effort.

Jackie Wren, Reception, Children’s outpatients, Huntingdonshire

Jackie was nominated by Mel Bywater for always being helpful to nursing staff/paediatricians/secretarial staff/patients and their families. She is responsible for booking appointments and always goes above and beyond to fit patients in and accommodate their needs balanced with service needs. She is always cheerful and on top of this has not had a day sick for 6 years which is to be commended.

Emma Farquhar, Operational Administrator & Project Support Officer, Adult Services, Ranstad Court, Luton, Beds

Emma was nominated by Barbara Wilson, Justine Towle, Jo Shields and Abigail Toghanro who said “It is difficult to describe just how important and valuable Emma is to the Community nursing service.” She supports all of the nursing staff with any queries whilst also helping the four of them as cluster leads with all the added technical bits which would completely overload them if it wasn't for Emma. She supports them with the staff roster, datix reports, training trajectories; letters, forms and everything else that they need to complete but don't always have the time to double check. Everything Emma does is completed with a smile and we wouldn't be the service we are without her!

CYPS Physiotherapy Team, Cambridgeshire and Huntingdonshire

Jacqui Taylor nominated the above team for their wonderful team working.  During significant staff resignations and shortages (due to long term sickness) within the South Cambs and City Physiotherapy Team the whole of the team have pulled together and offered support from around the county. Staff members from the East Cambs and Fenland patch and Huntingdon patch have worked in mixed locations to ensure the CYP have continued to receive a service. Members of the South Cambs and City Team have taken on additional work to cover shortages. It has been a true example of whole team working and colleague support which has ensured a consistent service could be offered to CYP and families and supporting other colleagues. This has been done without complaint and staff have adapted quickly to ensure continuity.

Manik Kulkarni, Physiotherapist, MSk Physiotherapy

Manik was nominated by one of her patients for being an angel on earth! From her first appointment, she not only figured out the actual cause of her back pain but more importantly took the time to educate her and go back through her history explaining the source and the reasons for her back pain. Manik has truly changed her life for the better. The way in which she engaged with her, her compassion and her deep understanding not only of backs but of people is just outstanding. She is truly gifted and is an outstanding individual.

Congratulations to everyone nominated this month.