2010 Staff OSCaRs were Simply the Best yet

Last updated 20-Sep-10 11:55

Staff from all departments and levels of the organisation were treated to a taste of stardom in Forty Hall, Enfield on 14 September for the first combined OSCaRs and Simply the Best Awards evening.

The event, which took place immediately after the Annual General Meeting, was joined by two very special guests: the Worshipful the Mayor of Enfield, Jayne Buckland, and the writer and comedienne Shazia Mirza. The Trust's non-executive directors - all highly successful individuals from various walks of life - were also in attendance.

The categories and their winners were:

Equality and Diversity Award - won by Sarah Pope, acute liaison nurse for people with learning difficulties. She was described by those who nominated her as "enthusiastic, professional, committed and with boundless energy."

The Radiology Team were also highly commended for this award.

Creativity, Innovation and Learning - this was won by the Urology Surgical and Theatre Team for their work in successfully introducing the da Vinci Robot over a short period of time.

A&E Consultant Dr. David Mbamalu was also highly commended for this award.

Getting the basics right - won by Susan Bacon, Healthcare Assistant. Her nominators described her as "very efficient, cheerful and calm," noting that "the patients recognise her and are pleased to see her."

Dillon O'Flynn, Ward Clerk on Larch Ward (Barnet Hospital) was also highly commended.

Safety first award - won by Kelly Spellecchia, Safeguarding Children Co-ordinator, described as being "instrumental in enabling the Trust to achieve the required level of training for child protection, which enabled us to declare compliance with Care Quality Commission standards. She has made a real difference to our safeguarding agenda."

Fay Whitfield, Staff Nurse on Holly Ward (Barnet Hospital) was also highly commended.

Keeping clean and preventing infections award - won by Rita Osbourne, Health Care Support Worker. Rita - who has worked for the Trust for over 14 years - was described by her colleagues as "one of our best, obsessively clean and tidy nurses." They joked that she was very much the same at home, adding that "nothing is too much for the patients".

Fashid Meesaq was also highly commended.

Dignity in care award - won by Hayley Young, Health Care Assistant. Hayley has only been at Quince Ward, Barnet Hospital for two years but her nomination described how she has already made a huge impression there in terms of her work on patient privacy and dignity. She shared some of her work with the public at this summer's Barnet Hospital Open Day.

Dignity in death award - won by Katarina Halai, Vivien Zaglago and Normalyn Ebanks. This trio of staff supported a patient whose last wish was to see their pet dog. After checking with infection control, the dog was allowed in a side room where the family was able to bring it along one hour before the patient passed away. The family have since sent the ward a Thank You letter for granting his last wish.

Food for life award - won by Susan Daines, Healthcare Support Worker on Cambridge Ward. Susan was praised for the professionalism and friendliness with which she interacts with patients during mealtimes.

Taking the lead award - won by Cathy Rogers, Consultant Midwife. Her nomination described how "her engagement with staff at all levels enables them to achieve and celebrate our service successes such as Baby Friendly Level 2 and Clinical Negligence Scheme for Trusts Level 3. She...facilitates sessions for women who have previously had a traumatic birth and supports them during the next pregnancy and birth to improve their experience and reduces our intervention rates."

Sarah Munford, General Manager for the Imaging department, was also highly commended.

First impressions last award - won by April Richards, Ward Clerk on Rowan Ward. "She always goes beyond the call of duty...She goes to the shop to get things for patients often using her own money. She is one of the most helpful members of staff that I have ever met."

Unsung hero award - there were two joint winners for this award: Alan Sebti, Pharmacy Manager, and Sally Smith, Complaints Administrator.

Sally was described in her nomination as "hardworking, empathetic with the clients and endeavours to do what is right in any given situation." Alan was described in his nomination as "always calm, understanding, listens to his staff's needs and wants and will help out as much as he can."

Linda Manley and Ken Whitbread were also highly-commended.

Patient Champion - won by the Community Neonatal Team: Karina Wyles, Adele Mynard and Debby Hodge. Their nomination described them as "giving the highest quality care and attention to those patients who obviously can't speak for themselves...they get to know the families and become their friends."

Angela Wheeler, Colorectal Nurse Specialist, was highly commended. Patient representatives Alex Nunes and Michael Essex-Lopresti also received special awards in this category for their contributions over many years, where they have given the patient perspective during high-level Trust discussions.

Baroness Wall award - this is a special award given to those who support the staff themselves in putting patients first and foremost. It was won by the Staff Day Nursery at Chase Farm Hospital. Their domination described how the team "provide an invaluable service to parents who would like to continue with their careers and jobs whilst having the peace of mind to know that their most precious assets are receiving the best care also...The staff are welcoming, approachable and ensure our children are looked after in a safe, warm and learning environment."

After the final award was presented, Shazia Mirza thanked everyone for attending the event, saying it was "a privilege to be part of this celebration." Baroness Wall of New Barnet congratulated all the winners on their achievements, and also gave a special ‘Thank You' to the panel of independent judges.