Barnet and Chase Farm Hospitals NHS Trust celebrate Long Service and Staff Achievement Awards

Last updated 5-Mar-09 12:42

On Tuesday 2^nd October over 250 members of staff and their families from Barnet and Chase Farm Hospitals celebrated by receiving their Long Service Awards and Staff Achievement Awards at the Hendon Hall Hotel.

Over 100 staff, with more than 3,000 years of service between them, were presented with their Long Service Awards.

Teams, departments and individuals were not left out of the celebrations as number of them picked up trophies and certificates as part of the Staff Achievement Awards. 

The staff picked up awards for nine categories:

Team of the Year Award

Highly Commended - SurgiCentre, Chase Farm Hospital

Winner - Clare Simpson Clinic, Barnet Hospital

Service User Award

Winner - Ridgeway Birth Centre, Maternity Department, Chase Farm Hospital

Partnership Award

Winner - Supervisors of Midwives Team

Equality and Diversity Award

Winner - Interpreting Service

Improving Working Lives Award

Highly Commended - Barnet Hospital Nursery Team

Highly Commended - Occupational Health Department

Winner - Joan McDonald, Junior Sister, Treasure Island Ward

Unsung Hero Award

Highly Commended - Kay Laurie, Head of Patient and Public Involvement

Highly Commended - Michael Ho-Kan, Biomedical Scientist, Chase Farm Hospital

Winner - Peter Stern, Senior Biomedical Scientist, Barnet Hospital

Winner - Susan Daines, Housekeeper, Cambridge Ward, Chase Farm Hospital

Creativity and Innovation Award

Highly Commended - Steven Moore, Staff Nurse, A&E, Chase Farm Hospital

Winner - Alison Hill, Deputy Therapy Service Lead, Barnet Hospital

Learning award

Winner - Lorraine Walker, Learning and Development Manager

One extra special member of staff picked up the Chairman's Award, presented by the Trust Chair, Baroness Wall of New Barnet.  Elizabeth Stewart, Matron for both Barnet and Chase Farm Hospitals Intensive Care Units was awarded the Chairman's award.

Elizabeth received more nominations from a wide range of departments and staff and for more categories than any other nominee.  Everyone seems to have been singing from the same hymn sheet in singing her praise.

Nominations mentioned her dedication, sense of responsibility and the high standards of care she gives herself and expects from others.  She stood in for a surgical matron for six months to cover sick leave - while still looking after her own areas.  She also gave up a well-earned holiday in Trinidad to be there for her staff.  Despite having such a wide role, she was always available to support her wards. So much so that when she stepped down from the matron's role, they showered her with cards, flowers and chocolates in appreciation.

One person nominating Elizabeth said "She is one in a million, I would love to work with her, anytime, any place, anywhere."

Elizabeth Stewart remarked; 'I'm completely overwhelmed. I just come to work to do the best for patients. To have been nominated by so many of my colleagues is just amazing, I'm touched, and would like to say a big thank you.'

Chief Executive Averil Dongworth said; 'This event was just what staff needed, it is great morale boost.  We have had a very difficult year and the Long Service and Staff Achievement Awards are just a small way of recognising some of the excellent work that does take place across the Trust.  I was delighted to see staff representing so many areas and staff groups throughout the Trust.  This is a wonderful opportunity to say thank you to the people who work so hard day after day for patients and their families both on the front line and behind the scenes.' 

***ENDS***

With thanks to our independent  judges: Bernell Bussie, Regional Director of the RCN, Michael Essex Lopresti, Secretary of the PPI forum and Mary McConnell, Reporter, Barnet Press.

We would also like to thank, the worshipful the Mayor of Barnet, Councillor Braun, and the Worshipful the Mayor of Enfield, Councillor Delman kindly assisting us with the award ceremony.

Kwame Kwei Armah, actor and playwright, who many know as Finlay Newton in Casualty, assisted us in presenting the awards and was an excellent host for the evening.  As a playwright, his play Elmina's Kitchen was nominated for the Laurence Olivier award for best new play and he won the Evening Standard's Charles Wintour most promising playwright award in 2003.  He has acted in other stage and screen roles and most recently he played the part of E R Braithwaite in To sir with love on Radio Four.

If you would like a copy of the Annual Report, Years of service - years of caring, please contact the Communications Team on 020 8375 2180.

Please contact Joanna Beasley on 020 8375 2180 or by email joanna.beasley@bcf.nhs.uk for any further information.