Congratulations to our OSCaRs winners!

The OSCaRs were presented on 13 September in the Spice of Life Restaurant at Barnet Hospital. The winners and highly-commended entries of each category received their trophies and certificates from Irish-Iranian, surgeon-loving, staff-hugging comedian Patrick Monahan, the latest in a line of well-loved entertainers (previous years had seen Shazia Mira and Sam Kane) to add sparkle to one of the highlight events of the year.

In addition to the mapcap frolics provided by Mr Monahan, the event benefitted from the presence of the Worshipful the Mayor of Enfield, Cllr Christiana During, as well as two of the Trust’s Non-Executive Directors - Andy Newman and Fiona Bulmer.

Those chosen by their peers for the red carpet treatment in each category were:

Patient Champion Award

Won by Ameet Bakhai, Consultant Cardiologist. Dr. Bakhai was actually nominated by a patient’s relative, who wrote: “He explains everything. He is in clinic long after hours and he comes to see my father late at night. He also phones him at home no delegating but doing it himself.”

Volunteer Vedi Roy was also highly commended for this award.

Equality and Diversity Award

Won by Mark Louisy, Voluntary Services Manager. Mark was nominated for several reasons, particularly the way he has reached out to communities where people may find accessing work opportunities more difficult.

Creativity, Innovation and Learning

Won by the Histopathology Team for their success in implementing LEAN within their departments and the remarkable results this has achieved.

The PACS Team - James Lovell and Adilah Lodhi - were also highly commended for this award.

Safe and Effective Care Award

Won by Kim Clark, Junior Sister on Larch Ward. Her nomination described her as showing “excellent leadership skills during the implementation of the SKIN bundle which aims to reduce the number of patients with pressure sores. She has got patients involved as part of their care to reduce their pressure sores and, along with her ward team, she has made a real improvement to the patients’ care on the ward.”

Accident Prevention and Safeguarding Award

Won by Mila Aquiler and Jane Kellie, Staff Nurses on Beech Ward and Spruce Ward respectively. On presenting them with their awards, Mr. Monohan said that: “The winners have shown great commitment in their role as Patient Safety Champions on their respective wards. They have taken a great interest in the information provided to them on the falls that occur in their areas, and how this can be used to prevent further falls.”

Infection Prevention and Keeping Clean Award

Won by Sarah Ross, Radiology Assistant. Sarah was described as being “instrumental in improving the quality of infection prevention and control in X-ray at Chase Farm and also helped embed improved practice at the Barnet department.”

Respect and Dignity Award

Won by Linda Morrison, Health Care Assistant. Linda was described as “courteous and helpful to the patients making sure that they are made welcome…She sets a good example and is an excellent role model to others - nothing seems to be too much trouble for her.”

End of Life Care Award

Won by the Garden Room Project Team, who “committed many hours of their time to cultivate the garden, and create a relaxing indoor space with comfortable furniture. Relationships have been made with local people in the community to support the development of this project. This includes the local brownies, the allotment club and an artist who still regularly changes the art according to the season.”

Nutrition and Hydration Award

Won by Kelly Davis, Staff Nurse on Larch Ward. Kelly was said to be “passionate about nutrition and eagerly described how important it was to all patients receiving hospital care. She said that staff needed to take the time to get to know their patients. She did make a difference and demonstrated getting to know her patient.” The Matron of her ward endorsed the nomination.

Transforming Care through Leadership Award

Won by Jeanette White, Senior Pharmacy Technician. Jeanette was said to run her service “with expert knowledge and leadership skills. She helped two pharmacy assistants get their NVQ level 2 qualifications. The Trust is lucky to have her.”

Susan Tierney (Clinical Service Matron) was also highly commended for this award.

Patient Feedback Award

Won by Nora Gill, Outpatients Matron. Nora was described as “passionate about improving the experience of the thousands of patients who attend outpatient clinics every year. She has enthusiastically adopted the Patient Experience Trackers and ensured that already this year over 1,500 patients have had the opportunity to feed back on their experience.” 

Excellence in Cost Improvement Award

Won by the Accounts Receivable Team for the way they “have used various methods in tracing debtors and saving the Trust money. An example of where the department has significantly improved cost is with Overseas Patients. They now liaise with embassies, the UK Benefits Agency and our Local Counter Fraud Services to identify and trace these debtors when they go off the radar to make sure the Trust receives payment.”

Unsung Hero Award

Traditionally a popular award in terms of the number of nominations, and this year was no exception. The two winners were Lyn Smith, Medical Records Manager, and Phil Newman, Portering Supervisor.

Lyn was praised for working in a challenging environment that included “flooding and a breakdown of heating over a three week period during the snow when working conditions reached 8-11°C.” Thanks to her supportive approach to all levels of the team, the nomination stated that “the overall sickness figures for the department have improved with staff turning things around so that they are a more mutually supportive department.”

Phil was described as “someone who has worked for the Trust for a number of years. He has pushed hundreds, if not thousands, of beds, spoken to hundreds of staff, patients and their relatives or carers. He has demonstrated great flexibility, communication skills and has lovely manner particularly with patients.

Tina Cash (Appointments Officer) and the Surgical Typing Pool at Chase Farm Hospital were also commended for this award.

Baroness Wall Award

Won by June Marquis, Ward Clerk on Quince Ward. June was described as the “fountain of all knowledge” in her workplace and a huge help in coordinating communication with patients on a very busy ward. Her nomination added: “What makes her special is the lengths she will go to in order to reassure patients during their stay. She will walk with patients who are inclined to wander to ensure they don't come to harm or suggest patients sit with her while she works to help reassure them if they are distressed.”

Following the ceremony, Mr. Monahan congratulated the winners and everyone else who had been nominated, saying: “Your hard work does not go unnoticed. It’s been a privilege to be part of this celebration.” Trust Chairman Baroness Wall of New Barnet then closed the event by thanking the judges of the awards - Cllr Christiana During, Patient Representative from LINKs Susan Blain, and Deputy Director of Nursing Teresa McHugh - as well as everyone else who had attended the Annual General Meeting and ensuing OSCaRs ceremony.