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Health and care heroes honoured in regional NHS Parliamentary Awards

MPs and NHS leaders in the South West have joined forces to honour health and care staff who have helped to improve treatment for patients in the regional round of the NHS Parliamentary Awards, announced today.

Winners in the 10 regional categories, which range from Excellence in Primary Care to the Lifetime Achievement Award, include a consultant radiologist who is recognised for 40 years of service and a dental team who are reaching out to vulnerable people.

The coronavirus pandemic, the greatest public health challenge in the NHS history, has helped prompt a record number of nominations from MPs across the country who have sought to shine a light on the dedication of nurses, midwives, GPs, physios, pharmacists, healthcare assistants, porters, cleaners, and countless other staff who have contributed to the unprecedented response.

The judges have today chosen the 10 regional winners from nearly 70 nominations.

Elizabeth O’Mahony, Regional Director of NHS England and NHS Improvement in the South West, said: “It’s been a momentous year that’s tested the NHS as never before, so it’s fantastic to see the work of staff across the South West recognised in this way.

“Yes, the pandemic has dominated the headlines during 2020, but these awards are about far more than that. They show the breadth and diversity of the work that goes on, day in and day out, across the health service in the South West.

“The level of commitment – sometimes over the course of a whole career – is quite humbling. I’d like to congratulate every single one of the winners, and to thank all the MPs for putting forward such strong candidates.”

 

The 10 regional champions selected by an expert NHS panel are:

  • The Excellence in Mental Health Care Award (supported by Lloyds Banking Group): Mental Health Liaison team at North Bristol NHS Trust, nominated by Darren Jones MP
  • The Excellence in Health Care Award: Dr Scott Grier, Consultant in Intensive Care Medicine & Anaesthesia at North Bristol NHS Trust, nominated by Darren Jones MP
  • The Excellence in Urgent and Emergency Care Award: South West Critical Care Transfer Service, nominated by Jack Lopresti MP
  • The Excellence in Primary Care Award (supported by Assura plc): GP Community Pharmacist Consultation Service in Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire, nominated by Darren Jones MP.
  • The Future NHS Award: Rapid Deployment of CareFlow Connect and CareFlow Vitals (eObservations) at North Bristol NHS Trust, nominated by Darren Jones MP
  • The NHS Rising star Award (supported by Fujifilm UK): Joshua Bell, Senior Nursing Assistant at University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust, nominated by John Penrose MP
  • The Care and Compassion Award (supported by LV=): Coln ward at Cirencester Hospital, Gloucestershire Health and Care NHS Foundation Trust, nominated by Geoffrey Clifton-Brown MP
  • The Health Equalities Award: Community Clinic for Vulnerable Patients at Peninsula Dental Social Enterprise in Plymouth, nominated by Luke Pollard MP
  • The Wellbeing at Work Award: Sam Walklett, Health and Wellbeing Project Manager at Great Western Hospitals NHS Trust in Swindon, nominated by Robert Buckland MP
  • The Lifetime Achievement Award: Dr Giles Maskell, Consultant Radiologist at Royal Cornwall Hospitals NHS Trust, nominated by Cherilyn Mackrory MP

These regional champions will now go head to head with other winners from across the country to be judged by a national panel made up of senior leaders representing staff and patients, for the chance to win the prestigious national award which will be presented at a special ceremony in the House of Commons on the 7 July.

 

England’s Chief Midwife and chair of the national judging panel this year, Professor Jaqueline Dunkley Bent, said: “A huge congratulations to all those who have been recognised for their outstanding contribution to the NHS as well as making a genuine difference to the patients they care for.

“NHS staff and volunteers make the health service what it is today – the largest and greatest care team in the world.

“This year more than ever, the nation owes a debt of gratitude to the 1.3 million-strong army of nurses, midwives, doctors, physios, pharmacists, healthcare and maternity care assistants porters, cleaners, and countless other staff who ensured no patient who could benefit from NHS care was unable to receive it. 

“It will be a tough task selecting our overall winners – I look forward to hearing more about their fantastic achievements and celebrating with them all at the national award ceremony.”

Allan Elborn, General Manager of Medical Systems at Fujifilm UK and sponsor of the NHS Rising Star Award said: “We are astounded by the quality of the NHS Rising Star regional shortlist, a new category for this year’s awards which recognises the achievements of NHS staff members and volunteers under 30 who give up their time to improve services in their area.

“From everyone at Fujifilm, we extend our warmest congratulations to all of the regional winners, who together showcase the incredible level of care, compassion and innovation our NHS delivers every single day, and never more profoundly than in this past year. More so than ever, we are incredibly proud to sponsor the NHS Parliamentary Awards for the second year running and to be involved in celebrating these inspiring individuals and teams.”

Jonathan Murphy, Assura CEO and sponsor of the Excellence in Primary Care Award, said: “In a year like no other for primary care, it’s inspiring to see these nominations ranging from individual GP practice teams to primary care alliances, CCGs and community pharmacy – all stories of innovation and commitment to the experiences patients have, and their access to health services.”

Steve Treloar, Chief Executive Officer at LV= General Insurance and sponsor of the Care and Compassion Award said: “We’re extremely proud to be sponsoring the Care and Compassion category at this year’s NHS Parliamentary awards and would like to say a massive congratulations to all the winners of the regional awards.

“The NHS has always worked incredibly hard to look after and protect the millions of us who need their help each and every year, and through COVID-19 they continue to make a monumental effort to keep us safe and save lives. We will forever be grateful for all the amazing and hard work they do every single day and we’re delighted to be able to recognise and thank them through these awards.”

Fiona Cannon, Lloyds Banking Group’s Sustainable Business Director and sponsor of the Excellence in Mental Health Care Award, said: “I want to congratulate all of those who have been shortlisted for the ‘Excellence in Mental Health Care’ category of the NHS Parliamentary Awards. This pandemic has had a huge impact on every aspect of our lives has taken a toll on both our mental and physical health. The work you do is crucial to the recovery of individuals, communities and the country as a whole and on behalf of Lloyds Banking Group, I would like to thank all of you for the contribution you make to people’s lives and well-being.”

 

 

Regional winner details:

The Excellence in Mental Health Care Award (supported by Lloyds Banking Group): Mental Health Liaison team at North Bristol NHS Trust, nominated by Darren Jones MP

The team was nominated for its well-rounded, patient-centred approach, which was maintained despite the impact of COVID-19. Working at the interface of physical and mental health to support patients in Southmead Hospital, the team collaborated with system partners to ensure that urgent mental health care was provided safely to those who needed it.

 

The Excellence in Health Care Award: Dr Scott Grier, Consultant in Intensive Care Medicine & Anaesthesia at North Bristol NHS Trust, nominated by Darren Jones MP

Dr Grier was nominated for working tirelessly to set up and deliver an adult intensive care unit transfer team for the region. The South West Critical Care Transfer Team is made up of staff from across the area, bringing together a range of skills and expertise to further improve patient care, safety and efficiency.

 

The Excellence in Urgent and Emergency Care Award: South West Critical Care Transfer Service, nominated by Jack Lopresti MP

The service was established swiftly in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, preparing for the potential need to move critically ill patients between intensive care units. It was carefully designed to avoid adding additional pressure to 999 ambulance resources and hospital medical teams, instead using a specially prepared fleet of five ambulances from South Western Ambulance Service Foundation Trust, dedicated medical staff and equipment, and supported by paramedics redeployed from the air ambulances and the Hazardous Area Response Team. The team was praised for working flexibly and integrating elements of best practice from existing organisations.

 

The Excellence in Primary Care Award (supported by Assura plc): GP Community Pharmacist Consultation Service in Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire, nominated by Darren Jones MP.

The pilot service was launched in 2019 to refer patients who need advice and treatment for certain minor illnesses from a GP practice to a community pharmacist. This enables patients to have access to the same levels of care close to home, while GPs have more capacity to treat patients who most need their expertise. There has been positive feedback from all involved, including patients welcoming the professional service being provided.

 

The Future NHS Award: Rapid Deployment of CareFlow Connect and CareFlow Vitals (eObservations) at North Bristol NHS Trust, nominated by Darren Jones MP

These two digital systems were rolled out rapidly to support North Bristol NHS Trust’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Together these digital developments are supporting teams to have remote access to information about a patient’s observations, enabling faster team handovers, and helping teams to have a fuller picture of the patient’s condition. The launch was praised for showing how digital change can happen quickly and successfully, creating positive foundations for the future.

 

The NHS Rising star Award (supported by Fujifilm UK): Joshua Bell, Senior Nursing Assistant at University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust, nominated by John Penrose MP

Joshua was described in his nomination as ‘always positive, ready to meet the next challenge.’ Alongside working as a senior nursing assistant for the Paediatric Intensive Care and Sleep Service at the Bristol Royal Hospital for Children, he continues to take additional shifts to support other areas of the Trust too. He also volunteers with St John Ambulance and fundraises for a variety of local causes including the Weston Eagles, The Grand Appeal and Great Western Air Ambulance.

 

The Care and Compassion Award (supported by LV=): Coln ward at Cirencester Hospital, Gloucestershire Health and Care NHS Foundation Trust, nominated by Geoffrey Clifton-Brown MP

The team adapted to caring for COVID-19 patients while maintaining the highest levels of care and compassion. They took innovative approaches to ensuring patients remained connected with their loved ones, despite visiting restrictions. These includes using iPads for virtual visits and moving beds to the window. For patients who sadly died, they provided a pair of crocheted hearts as a precious keepsake – one to stay with the patient, and the other for their loved ones to keep.

 

The Health Equalities Award: Community Clinic for Vulnerable Patients at Peninsula Dental Social Enterprise in Plymouth, nominated by Luke Pollard MP

The pro bono clinic was launched in response to the issue that people who experience homelessness typically have higher dental treatment needs but are less likely to use dental services. It was developed collaboratively with a range of partners, with referrals made through local residential homeless centres and GP outreach services. Since starting, 89 people have been treated and the service has now been extended to individuals using drug and alcohol services and vulnerable women.

 

The Wellbeing at Work Award: Sam Walklett, Health and Wellbeing Project Manager at Great Western Hospitals NHS Trust in Swindon, nominated by Robert Buckland MP

Leading the staff health and wellbeing programme, Sam has gone above and beyond to support colleagues across the Trust during the COVID-19 pandemic. She has delivered snack packs to every team in the hospital, sent care packages to those shielding or working from home, set up ‘wobble rooms’ as quiet safe spaces for staff  and launched the first ever Happiness Event where more than 1,000 staff took a  break to enjoy a variety of relaxing treats.

 

The Lifetime Achievement Award: Dr Giles Maskell, Consultant Radiologist at Royal Cornwall Hospitals NHS Trust, nominated by Cherilyn Mackrory MP

Dr Maskell has dedicated more than 40 years to the NHS. After being appointed as a consultant radiologist in Cornwall in 1991, he has had major impacts on local health services and the culture of working. Dr Maskell has also represented the region at a national level including leading roles within the Royal College of Radiologists, serving as Registrar from 2006 – 2009 and President from 2013 – 2016. He continues to be an important member of the consultant radiologist team.