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.

Our August 2020 winners are:

The service wide Dental HealthCare team

Julia Hallam-Seagrave nominated the Dental HealthCare team for the amazing work they have carried out through the Covid pandemic. Julia said: “They have showed great resilience and the ability to adapt to sudden change whilst showing high levels of team work and patient care. The service has led the way in the region in setting up urgent dental care centres and has shown great faith in embracing new ways of working.

“There has been morale boosting dancing, daily wellbeing emails as well other innovative ways to support each other. Patient care has been at the heart of everything they have done and they have made it work for the benefit of our patients. The leadership team particularly have gone above and beyond to develop new processes and provide consistent high quality care at these challenging times.

“On top of all this the team sadly lost a recently retired long standing member of the team, the impact of this cannot be underestimated. I would say that the service wide team are not just Shining Lights but Blazing Beacons during this most difficult time.”

Well done everyone, what a fantastic nomination.

Other nominations this month included:

Elinor Japp, Senior Dental Officer, Wisbech

Elinor was nominated by Phylis Muhia for being instrumental in establishing the necessary strategy in implementing the SOP's in the Wisbech Dental team. Phylis said: “Elinor unveiled the functional teams that were implemented across the dental service within dental health Cambridgeshire. She has volunteered to cover any sessions on several occasions whenever necessary. An excellent team player that I have had the pleasure of working with. I am therefore nominating her for the 'Shine a light' Award.”

Elinor was also nominated by Cheryl Parkin who said: “Every day Elinor makes a difference to the dental team, always supportive, encouraging and disciplinarian when required! Always super-efficient but exceptionally stepping up during this Covid 19 pandemic, even though I was medically suspended during the pandemic the other team members were all singing her praises telling me how she was instrumental in guiding the team in making the new normal functional and keeping the Wisbech DAC running to the best of its abilities in such trying times. She was a or should I say is the key player in the team keeping spirits up and the service running as smoothly as it could.”

Julie Hartard, Children’s Service Operational Manager, Edwin Lobo Child Development Centre, Luton

Rachel Lawrence nominated Julie on behalf of all the Clinical Nurse Specialists for all of the amazing work she has done in organising their service through the Covid pandemic.

Rachel said: “Throughout, Julie has been extremely flexible; adapting swiftly to all the changes and has kept us all on-track and correctly working to the changing guidance. However, it has been her manner, her sense of humour and her commitment to all of the admin and clinical staff that has been so remarkable. She has encouraged us all along the way and has provided breakfast and regular refreshments and all sorts of cake!

“She has responded to all our questions with a great deal of patience and has gone above and beyond what has been expected at every turn. She has prioritized the safety and views of the service users whilst making sure that all staff are well cared for and kept safe.  She has done all of this whilst having significant personal issues to face with an ill member of the family. This nomination is an indication of our appreciation for all that she means to our team.”

Sophia Pratt and Jo Radnor, 0-19 Service lead (Cambs) and iCaSH Service Lead (Cambs)

Debbie Shulver nominated Sophia and Jo for working together to identify a pathway that improved the seamless service from Chathealth to iCaSH. Debbie said: “Previously staff in Chathealth would have only been able to signpost young people to the iCaSH services but now there is a clear referral pathway which will enable Chathealth to gain consent from the young person, refer directly and for iCaSH staff to make direct contact in a timely way with the young person.”

Laura Cornwell, Community Nursery Nurse, Health Visiting, Wisbech

Laura was nominated by Lindsey Todd for her support, patience, guidance, understanding and knowledge in helping her navigate through liquid logic. Lindsey said: “Laura is always finding the time and researching the solution, I could not have managed through this busy, stressful time without her support.”

Amazing nominations again this month, congratulations to everyone who was nominated!