Star Award finalists 2021

Maria Richardson

Scarborough

Maria is recognised for her tireless work to keep the facilities department functioning even though staffing levels have been down due to not enough staff, COVID, sickness and holidays. She has stepped in to cover anything from deep cleaning, portering, training new staff and covering supervising so her staff can take their holidays. As well as juggling her own demanding workload, Maria has worked on her days off and even cancelled her holiday as this would impact on the staffing levels across facilities. ‘As for most it has been a difficult time but Maria has gone over and above to make sure this has not impacted on the patients and the Trust’.

Stuart Pitts

Scarborough

Stuart is nominated by a colleague for going above and beyond during issues with power to Scarborough Hospital. Without Stuart the team would not have had the temporary generators which were badly needed to restore power and keep patients safe. Stuart did 12 days straight at work with the rest of the team with no break - he even turned up in the middle of the night to help the team pull in very large cables to get the generators connected. Even through this work Stuart still had time to teach apprentices about what the team were doing.  An external specialist even commented that most hospitals would not have been able to do what the team did without his input. ‘Stuart helped enormously and without him we would not have the temporary generators working today which would have put patients in grave danger’. 

Kim Sellers

Scarborough

A colleague became unwell during a shift - clammy, lightheaded with a very fast heart rate.  Kim was very knowledgeable, calm, quick acting, and compassionate, ensuring the staff member’s family were up to date with the situation, and the treatment needed to reduce the heart rate.  Kim then remained in the Discharge Lounge helping out after the staff member went home.  Nominated by her colleagues, Kim is described as supportive and caring line manager, always trying to improve and draw the best out of her team. She listens to feedback and ideas and will give them a try if feasible.  Kim always pushes her team to strive for better and tries to keep staff morale high while being firm but approachable as a line manager.

Aly Harrop

Scarborough

Aly always supports her staff as much as she can, trying to be fair to every area.  On a day when hospital staffing was very challenging, with many areas under staffed including CCU, Aly came and helped in any way she could. Some of the patients were very unwell and Aly helped with personal care, made beds and answered phones as well as alerting colleagues when a monitor or telemetry needed reviewing as everyone was busy with unwell patients.  Aly did this while combining with her Matron tasks.  This made a huge difference that day as patients felt well looked after and it relieved the workload on the staff  - ‘We just wanted to say a big thank you to Aly’.

Hayley Harteveld

York

Elizabeth, a young person with learning disabilities, needed an ultrasound at York Hospital ad unfortunately her mother was unable to attend due to an emergency.  Elizabeth attended instead with a care worker but it was an extremely anxious visit due to communication barriers.  She was having difficulty communicating that she needed to go to the toilet as well as other things and the care worker struggled to understand her.  Luckily Hayley was passing by and noticed Elizabeth's agitated state realising she was using Makaton, a language programme that uses signs with speech and symbols, to enable people to communicate.  Hayley introduced herself and helped the care worker talk with Elizabeth and calmed the matter in hand.  Not only that, she taught Elizabeth a nursery rhyme that she signed for the rest of the evening! ‘Such kindness she showed my daughter will not be forgotten - thank you’.

Amy Britten

York

Amy is nominated by work colleague Anne-Marie, who was on the receiving end of her care and compassion after her husband was taken to ICU seriously ill with COVID-19.  On her way back from the unit where she had dropped some cards off Anne-Marie was greeted by Amy and promptly burst into tears.  Amy took charge, taking her colleague slowly away from the public area and staying with her until she calmed down.  Amy explained the care that he would receive and the medical terms being used.  After eight weeks in ICU Anne-Marie was allowed to visit her husband on a ward, and by coincidence Amy was caring for him.  Thanks to Amy and the team, Anne-Marie arrived one day to see her husband moved to a chair and listening to their wedding song ... ‘he was still very unwell but he smiled and after weeks of worry and distress, I can honestly day that moment meant the world to me’.

ICU

York

The whole team are nominated by a Trust colleague for their dedicated care of her husband who was admitted to ICU with COVID.

ICU lead nurse Elaine Hunter helped her understand the daily routine care her husband would be receiving which really helped to get a sense of his day, especially as she couldn't visit.  From the frequent phone calls where she was never made to feel a nuisance, to the nurses helping her to phone her husband even though he was in an induced coma and unable to respond, the team are praised for being supportive and accommodating.  They played music for him after she emailed a list of his favourites and even sometimes sang along.

The physios are complimented for their positive energy and their contribution to getting the patient well enough to leave ICU after eight weeks - ‘they are absolutely NHS heroes’. 

St Nelsons Rehabilitation Hospital, Ward 1 team

York

This team were nominated for their kindness, compassion and care for a gentleman who was transferred from York Hospital for rehabilitation but unfortunately became more frail and unwell.

He was then cared for as end of life care and was allowed to stay at the unit where family could visit when they needed to, abiding by coronavirus rules. The nominator, herself a nurse, described the fantastic end of life care given to her father in law – ‘Keith my father in law was always clean, shaved and put in his own pyjamas which is enormously comforting. They were incredibly caring, empathetic and listened to my mother in law with any concerns and questions’.

The family were most impressed at the level of nursing care that is so important to a person who is at the end of their life, preserving dignity whilst treating them as an individual.

AMB ward team

York

The family of a patient brought into resus were given the news that they should expect the worst after their father was diagnosed with pneumonia and sepsis.

Due to the COVID situation the family were unable to be with him and were devastated at the thought of him dying on his own. He was transferred to AMB and knowing the situation Deputy Sister Catherine worked tirelessly to find him a room so the family could be with him.

The family praise the whole team for their dedication, support and care for their father, and the kindness, compassion and empathy shown to them. Because of the care their father received he remained stable and his health began to improve. ‘This type of caring and compassion is what truly separates a good nurse from a great nurse and on this occasion I was lucky enough to experience it first-hand’.

Lisa Shelbourn

Trust-wide

Both Nuclear Medicine leads have nominated their colleague Lisa for the huge amount of work and effort she has put in to the nuclear medicine service review, while making sure staff were heard and any comments considered.

Her support was very much appreciated during a stressful time, where Lisa went above and beyond to make sure that staff were informed, supported and felt valued.

Lisa made the nuclear medicine teams on both sites feel supported during the whole process. Keeping people in the loop throughout was invaluable in making staff on both sites feel valued which reduced the stress that is normal for service reviews, while being open about steps and findings.

Mr Thompson, Vascular Surgeon, Mr Krishnan, General Surgeon, and Dr Dickinson, Intensivist

Cross-site

When a young woman was brought into Scarborough Emergency Department in a very serious condition after an accident, it was clear she required a transfer to the major trauma centre at Hull. However the patient was judged too unstable to be transferred due to internal bleeding.

Instead the surgeons took the brave decision to take her to the operating theatre at Scarborough where Mr Krishnan attempted to settle down the bleeding and then called for help from Mr Thompson, rather than attempt a risky and potentially fatal patient transfer.  Mr Thompson travelled to Scarborough in the middle of the night and used his skills and expertise to perform lifesaving surgery on the patient.

The patient made a rapid and uneventful recovery, thanks to the incredible efforts of the surgical and anaesthetic team.

Janine McFarlane

Staff Nurse, Selby Hospital

Janine has brought her 30 years experience in the intensive care unit to provide a wealth of knowledge when dealing with deteriorating patients. She’s described by her colleagues as hardworking, kind and considerate and her excellent patient care. Janine will support both the medical and nursing team in a crisis in a calm and professional manner as well as sharing her wealth of knowledge with the students she works with.

Janine is often heard explaining the rationale for drug use, side effects and whether patients need further monitoring as a result of the medication they've taken. Janine is a respectful and fair colleague and is admired for the way she will challenge practice or attitudes she does not feel adheres to Trust values and will always advocate on behalf of the patient with integrity.

Ian Fowler

Charge Nurse, York Hospital

Ian is nominated by his colleagues for being ‘an amazing boss’. He makes coming to work on the ward fun, which by the very nature of the ward, is sometimes difficult to do. Ian makes sure that all staff are ok after a death, illustrated recently when a young lady who they all knew very well died. He made time for anyone and everyone but never mentioned how he was.

As well as supporting any new staff and all trainee nurses, Ian never expects anyone to do anything that he wouldn't do himself. He ensures he knows all the patients and family members and has a rolaugh and joke with them all, but when dealing with a bereaved family is so sympathetic and a shoulder to cry on. Ian ‘truly embodies what a star award should be used for’.

Coronary Care Unit (CCU) team

Scarborough Hospital

The team are nominated for demonstrating outstanding Trust values and for making a difference to patients and their families. The CCU’s garden had been transformed with the help of healthcare assistant Richard Hutchinson, and a garden party was held in honour of the NHS's 73rd birthday for the entire ward to celebrate.

Careful arrangements were made to fulfil the wishes of a poorly patient to attend the party in her bed as she was not able to walk outside. Staff took pictures showing the patient sitting in the sunshine under a parasol with the most beautiful and happy smile on her face.

The patient died the following day. The actions of Vicky and the team had a positive effect in such difficult circumstances and demonstrated the true caring spirit and compassion of the CCU team. 

The Security Team

York Hospital

The brother of a man who was brought into York Emergency Department during a psychotic episode has nominated the security team for their care, patience and understanding. Because of the severity of the patient’s condition the security team had to sit with him and his brother from 3pm until 8am the next day until the crisis team arrived.

They were all confined to a hot, stuffy room with two security guards making sure the patient was not causing any trouble. The team are praised for making a stressful situation a whole lot better by their manner and kindness – ‘they could tell my brother was not an ordinarily violent character and was just someone going through a challenging episode and treated him accordingly - being hands-off unless absolutely necessary and really trying to talk to us to try and calm him down and reassure him’.

Olivia Polkinghorne

Deputy Sister, York Hospital

A seriously ill 13 year old boy was admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) with a ruptured appendix. Olivia was assigned as his one to one nurse. His distraught mother, who nominated Olivia, describes feeling helpless when her son needed help the most. She was frightened and unsure whether he would survive.

The next morning she received a phone call from Olivia inviting her to ICU so she could be reunited with her child and her calming, reassuring manner gained the mother’s trust instantly. ‘Constantly watching him, providing medication, bathing him, brushing his teeth - all the small bits of care that don't need to be done, but would make him feel more comfortable, she did without hesitation’. Throughout Olivia’s 13 hour shift she was at his side the whole time only leaving for breaks … ‘A true angel and definitely a life saver’.

Ruth Dixon

Consultant Clinical Psychologist, Psychological Wellbeing team, Trustwide

Ruth was nominated by a staff member who was one of the early members of staff to contract COVID-19 in April 2020 which developed into long covid with organ impairment. Suffering both mentally and physically, she was in a very dark place as long covid was not understood then. After seeing staff wellbeing drop in sessions listed on Trust communications, she booked in feeling very helpless.

She was welcomed by Ruth, who immediately took charge of the situation and after a few sessions, arranged for more formal treatment. Ruth is praised for going above and beyond, giving lots of constructive advice, coping strategies and generally just being the only person to listen to her and believe that suffering post COVID-19 was real. With Ruth’s help she has been able to accept her new limitations - a difficult task for anyone young who never had any major health issues – and with reasonable adjustments has completed phased return. 

Marijke Brown

Sister, Ward 14, York Hospital

During what has been one of the hardest years in the NHS and for most teams within York Hospital, Marijke is wholeheartedly thanked by the team on Ward 14 for her help and support to both colleagues and patients.  She goes above and beyond on a daily basis, and during some of the most difficult times in her own personal life has continued to reassure and support her team, even volunteering herself to work on the Covid ward to prevent any more stress to her team.

She always makes sure her staff are supported and is known to fight their corner every step of the way, which allows them to deliver the best patient care.  Marijke is appreciated and admired by all her colleagues across the surgical floor who want to celebrate her achievements and kindness, especially as she will be retiring later this year.

The Endoscopy Team

York Hospital

The whole team are nominated by the family of Amy, a 19 year old autistic patient who suffered with anxiety and needed a colonoscopy. The patient’s mother describes the outstanding level of care that was given to her from the outset – from waiting list arranging a visit beforehand through to recovery where Amy was reassured the whole time.

Thanks go to Katie who took her round and was ‘absolutely fantastic’, really put Amy at ease and even offered to make sure she would be with her when having her procedure.  She also advised Amy to bring something with her to comfort her and had a great understanding of what Amy was going through.  ‘Everyone was lovely that came into contact with Amy, she was reassured the whole time and being given a chance to see where she would be going really helped.’

Deborah Bloor

Radiographer Specialist, York Hospital

Deborah’s care and understanding for a patient with advanced Alzheimer’s saw her described as ‘a total star from the beginning to end of the appointment’ by the patient’s family.  Deborah was with the patient for each stage of the process, which included her being given tablets to swallow which she finds very hard to do.  She also required an injection, which needed plenty of reassurance to keep the patient's hand still, and then the scan itself.

Throughout the process Deborah was focused on the patient, and was supportive, patient and engaged.  She instantly understood the patient's complex needs with out needing to be given any explanation.  This included knowing that the patient needed someone to hold each of her hands to keep her calm through the actual scan.  The family were so grateful for such dedicated care and wanted to express their thanks.

Lynn Burkill

Domestic, Easingwold Renal Unit

Lynn has been a huge asset to the unit for many years and is described as ‘an absolute rock’.  A high standard of cleaning has been maintained at all times - relevant changes implemented and filtered through to the rest of the domestic team as well as cleaning stores maintained and linen adequately stocked.

Lynn also created new job plans for each shift so any visiting bank staff would know exactly what was required to keep patients safe and standards high.  Lynn’s approach to her role has been noticed by both staff and patients.  She has helped with shopping for shielding patients and also raised a safeguarding issue when a vulnerable relative needed help, as well as raising funds for the unit in order to buy much loved TVs for the patients.  ‘Lynn is an absolute star and fundamental to our unit and patient experience. Thank you.’

Claire Grover

Lead Nurse Orthopaedics, Scarborough Hospital

When COVID began the emergency and fracture clinics had to be run very differently.  It was very challenging implementing new systems and processes, especially with the different departments whom are satellite services and do not have access to CPD.  The team muddled through for many months until Claire joined the team as a ‘breath of fresh air’, assessing the systems they had in place and what was and wasn’t working.

She began implementing new ways of working to ensure patients weren't missed and their care wasn't compromised, developing fantastic working relationships with the Emergency Department and Vocare which has been paramount in making the processes more streamlined.

Due to Claire’s 'can do positive' attitude what was once a very challenging situation is now becoming more manageable and the team can see the light at the end of the tunnel – ‘she is a fantastic asset to the team and the Trust’.

Clara Brady

Community Occupational Therapist, White Cross Court

Clara is nominated for her ‘diligent’ care of an elderly patient who was in a great deal of pain at home.  Not only did she undertake the more practical aspects of assessments on her home visit, Clara pursued several referrals to the GP for assistance as well as giving explanations to staff in the hospital Emergency Department and SDEC services.

When it transpired the patient and his wife had memory problems, Clara liaised with family members to ensure that the patient's son was involved with any consultation.  Clara even contacted their Sheffield Hospital specialist to try and expedite a referral for an appointment that the patient was waiting for.  Above all Clara is praised for her efforts to coordinate the right care for the patient in a very disjointed system and looking after his best interest.

Lesley Pattinson

Stroke Specialist Physiotherapist, Scarborough Hospital

Lesley’s determination to support a patient with their rehabilitation achieved such phenomenal results that he was able to be discharged home instead of a further stay in a rehab unit.

The patient had been transferred from the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) after a traumatic brain injury and Lesley worked with him daily on the ward to progress his function and mobility.  He was referred to a rehab unit prior to discharge home but remained on the ward for a further three weeks due to awaiting funding. During this time Lesley worked daily with her patient and progressed him to the level where he could be safe at home.

Despite some resistance from the nursing staff Lesley pulled out all stops and after six weeks in hospital he was discharged home with all support in place.  The family were over the moon and very thankful to Lesley for going the extra mile.

Prabhsimran Singh

, Medical Registrar Gastro and on call team, Scarborough Hospital

Prabhsimran is described as a ‘fantastic example of Trust values put into practice’.  When an elderly patient on CCU became increasingly unwell overnight, Prabhsimran stayed well over the end of his shift to come and review the gentleman.

He went on to implement a patient-centred plan of care that would ensure his comfort in his final days and ensured the gentleman had all the appropriate pain relief.  As well as spending a lot of time chatting to the gentleman himself and involving the patient in the plan of care, Prabhsimran also rang his family to update them personally on the situation.

Juliette Neylon

Paediatric Physiotherapist, Child Development Centre, York Hospital

Juliette treats children with neurological disorders which can be very complex cases and is nominated by her colleague “because she is a fantastic therapist.” Her reassuring demeanour empowers her patients and their families and she remains calm under pressure and is always professional.

Juliette is a calming influence in the team and provides quality care and treatment to her patients, listening to the needs of her patients and their families to provide individualised treatment programmes. Juliette is described as dedicated to her work and a real asset to the children's therapy team and the Trust.

She has adapted to new ways of working with virtual appointments and care and is always keen to develop her skills further and pass her knowledge on to colleagues, students and families.

Wendy Smith

Ward Clerk Ward 21/AMB, York Hospital

The Volunteering Team have created a new ward support volunteering role to help busy ward staff who are under increasing pressure. This was trialled on the wards and has proven to be a success, providing the extra pair of hands that make all the difference to patient care and staff wellbeing.

From the start Wendy has been a shining light in its success and nothing has ever been too much trouble. Wendy has trained, nurtured and cared for each and every volunteer on ward AMB.

In turn, the volunteers have absolutely loved getting stuck in and feeling as if they are truly one of the team. Some have even described their experience as life changing. “Thank you Wendy for going the extra mile on every occasion and making this role what it is – your input has been invaluable.”

Lisa Mead

Head BMS, Microbiology, York Hospital

Lisa has gone above and beyond throughout this past year. One example is that after a week of technical issues with the team’s analyzer Lisa realised from home there was an issue with the computer system and came in at 10pm to help her colleague manually release results.

This was really appreciated by her colleague who was the only biomedical scientist in the department on a busy COVID shift - “It's not everyday a manager comes back to work at 10pm and asks what can I do to help?” Lisa is described as a star who cares about her staff and service users and is also praised for her openness to suggestions from her staff regarding changes to shift patterns as a result of the pandemic.

Hannah Townsend

Paediatric Registrar, York Hospital

Hannah has consistently gone above and beyond to improve the individual and overall care for young people with eating disorders and other mental health issues admitted to the paediatric ward. She takes a genuine interest in these patients, is readily able to generate a rapport with the children and their families and maintains a warm and empathetic manner whilst remaining realistic, pragmatic and professional.

The department has seen a significant increase in children and young people with mental health problems and Hannah has made a hugely positive impact on the individual children she has been involved with. Hannah’s much-needed support to nursing and medical colleagues during particularly difficult or upsetting admissions has improved the care and experience of the young people involved.

Hannah has also developed strong links with children's mental health services and delivered high quality teaching sessions to educate and update the wider paediatric team.

Gemma Nicholson

Nursing Associate, Emergency Department, York Hospital

Gemma went out with another nurse on to the top floor of the multi-storey car park, after a patient threatening to throw themselves off. She immediately tried to build up a rapport with the patient and spent around 25 minutes calmly talking to the patent. It was bitterly cold and eventually she persuaded them to come down of their own free will, despite the police and security being present.

Everyone was in agreement that she did an amazing job. Gemma demonstrated so many of the Trust values, was extremely calm, and a shining example of how to deal with a distressed patient, went up and beyond the call of duty – ‘we are very proud of her’.

Nichola Greenwood and Stuart Parkes

Trust and Pharmacy vaccination programme

During the vaccination campaign, apart from the incredible organisation of the vaccination hub, both Nichola and Stuart have gone above and beyond in supporting the team who vaccinate the extremely vulnerable patient group.  The haemodialysis population who attend the renal units at York and Easingwold have been able to have first and second doses due to the fantastic support of Nicola and Stuart.

This has included ensuring the vaccines were available over the weekends delivered personally by Nichola.  This has protected an immunosuppressed patient group who have needed to shield throughout.  The reduction in risk to these patients is profound and has been made possible through the support of Nichola and Stuart.

Samantha Huby, Deputy Sister

Ward 14, York Hospital

Sam had booked transport for a patient who was end of life and wanted to go home for his last days.  However, although Sam had booked a bariatric stretcher in the ambulance, there had been a mistake made and the stretcher was a normal one. This meant the patient - who was deteriorating very rapidly, was unable to go home to his wife and all the hard work coordinating with different teams had been for nothing.

Sam knew that the patient may not make the night, and continued pursuing a fast track home, making dozens of phone calls, liaising with family, the ambulance service and care teams, and refusing to take no for an answer. Sam’s persistence and compassion for her patient resulted in his return home that same evening, the best possible outcome for the patient and his family.

Pam Toas and the Children’s Community Team

Scarborough

Pam and the team, Becky Miles, Jo Wilson, Ailsa Grassam and Martha Callaghan, recently provided end of life care to a young girl with a brain tumour who wanted to die at home.

Becky liaised with her oncology nurse ensuring emergency drugs were in the home to allow symptom management via a syringe driver. The family had an excellent relationship with both Becky and Jo and despite being a very small team, they wanted to support the child and family remaining in the home at this difficult but important time.

It did not usually include a seven day service but the team covered weekends and went above and beyond to make the final few weeks as easy, comfortable and memorable as possible. Their kindness, care and warmth in listening to the child and family’s needs will be remembered by them forever.

Dr Julian Camilleri-Brennan, FY2

Lilac AMU, Scarborough Hospital

Sadly a young 28 year old gentleman (Mr X) presenting with headaches and nausea and was found to have extensive metastatic disease. Julien went above and beyond to ensure that his care was coordinated to the correct specialists in a timely manner.

He liaised with the neurosurgeons at HRI and the oncology team in Leeds.  He recognised the distress for the patient and family and ensured Mr X stayed on AMU until all investigations were completed in what was a very complex case.  Not only that, the ward was short staffed at the time and he was also fulfilling his role working on the admissions unit.

His speedy decisions had a really positive outcome on Mr X's care and really showed what a caring and thoughtful doctor Julien is, receiving amazing feedback from the Leeds Oncologist thanking the team for all their efforts.

Nelsons Court IPU therapy team

Community Services, York

In a very short space of time a new pathway was set up for Covid positive patients that required rehabilitation to be moved to Peppermill Court. The therapy teams at Nelsons Court were thoughtful and considered in looking at how best as a team they could manage these patients.

From the start the team looked at things from their patients perspective, putting them first, even when the ask of them was to work from a different building with different colleagues and cope with the increased pressures that come with treating Covid positive patients. The team are recognised for their flexibility and ongoing dedication to putting patients first.

Rebecca Howells and the Non Invasive Ventilation (NIV) outreach team

Respiratory Medicine, York Hospital

The Non Invasive Ventilation (NIV) outreach team has delivered continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) to 100 critically ill patients outside of the critical care environment during the Covid-19 pandemic. This is a life saving treatment not usually delivered outside of critical care and their vital intervention stopped ICU from being overwhelmed.

They have done so with great professionalism and teamwork under the most arduous of circumstances, many taking on numerous extra shifts to cover for sickness and isolation across the team. This work, including training of staff, will leave a long lasting legacy that will benefit not just these patients but future respiratory patients.

A large proportion of the patients have gone on to recover to a level where they have been discharged from hospital. Post discharge patients are universally full of praise for the care they have received.

Ward 37

York Hospital

Ward 37 is always a challenging environment as the patients all have advanced dementia. The ward is now a Covid positive dementia ward which has created even more challenges for the staff as they deal with extremely poorly patients that have no insight into their condition.

Staff have seen a lot of death on the ward recently which is particularly heart breaking when they have cared for these patients for weeks. The team pride themselves on caring for their patients like they were family and the team support each other like a family. Through all the tears and heartache they try to make the patients feel at home with music and dance to lift people’s spirits, an essential part of their recovery and so important in dementia.

Deputy Sister, Trudy Fletcher proudly nominated her ‘special’ team for being ‘loving, caring, and welcoming to all patients and staff.’

Becky Miles and Joanne Wilson

Children's Community Nurses, Scarborough Hospital

Providing palliative care is outside of their normal role but when a family wished for their child to remain at home for her end-of-life care Jo and Becky stepped up. They rapidly increased their skill set to provide the same level of care as the specialist teams which are usually from outside the Trust and based in West Yorkshire.

Becky and Jo worked tirelessly to provide significant support, both telephone and in person, to the family and produced a rota to ensure that when a syringe driver was commenced it could be safely managed in Scarborough. Their enthusiasm and care was inspiring to the rest of the team and it made all the difference to the family and their child at a very difficult point in their lives. The patient passed away peacefully at home surrounded by her family due to their diligence, flexibility and teamwork.

David Taylor

Anaesthetist, York Hospital

David’s empathic, professional and calming manner made a huge impact on a nervous patient who had bad anxiety and low mood at the time of his scheduled operation. On a previous occasion he had suffered a panic attack in theatres and revoked consent until he had calmed down. Fearing this would happen again he discussed it with his anaesthetist, David, who was able to calm him and prepare him for the procedure there and then.

Pre-surgery, David kept the anaesthetic environment calm and quiet so as not to over stimulate the patient and when he started getting anxious picked up on it immediately and continued to talk instead of trying to rush him through. Described as incredibly kind and a true healthcare professional, ‘his words were more powerful than medication… he truly cared about my wellbeing more than any practitioner, doctor or surgeon that I have ever met.’

Elizabeth Feetenby, Senior Physiotherapist and Katie Pickles, Senior Occupational Therapist

ork community therapy Discharge to Assess team

Elizabeth and Katie were nominated by the family of a 93 year old patient suspected to be in the early stages of dementia after suffering harrowing hallucinations. They are praised for their dedication and hard work to getting him back home to his wife of 70 years after he was admitted to a nursing home’s dementia unit for assessment.

There he received regular visits from their team, described by the family as a lifeline as he was beginning to get very depressed. His hallucinations stopped and Elizabeth raised the issue that the dementia unit was detrimental to his mental wellbeing and not suitable for his needs. By now he was very frail and Elizabeth and Katie encouraged him to exercise so he could regain his strength to return home.

The twice weekly visits paid off and ensured all safety measures and plans were put in place for him to go home.

Amy Rowntree, Radiographer Team Manager

Radiology, York Hospital

Amy is relatively new in post in a very challenging year and was nominated by a colleague for her management skills, praised for getting things done, sorting issues with equipment and staffing and helping everyone in the department.

As well as juggling the demands of management , Amy also helps her colleagues on the frontline, doing extra shifts when required while remaining upbeat and positive.  Amy is described as a credit to the department and ensures that the service provided is of the highest quality as well as being involved in equipment procurement and training so that the service can improve even further.

Penny Furness, Healthcare Assistant

Emergency Department, Scarborough Hospital

Penny was nominated by a colleague for going above and beyond the scope of her role to deliver gold standard high quality emotional support and patient care to a frightened patient who was alone in A&E, absorbing the news that she was likely to pass away that night without seeing her family.

The 87 year old lady had been admitted with breathlessness and sadly blood tests showed she had suffered a heart attack.  Initially she was due to be transferred to Castle Hill Hospital for urgent surgery but rapidly deteriorated.  The family were informed and Penny stayed with the patient to support her, holding her hand for two hours, as she was transferred to a ward for palliative care.

Penny settled her in to see the family arrive which helped the patient immensely in such a heart-breaking situation.

Agnes Piotrak, Operating Department Practitioner

Theatres and Critical Care, York Hospital

Agnes was involved with a particularly difficult situation in resus when she attended a trauma call which was a stabbing.  The patient did not speak English but did speak the same language as Agnes who translated for the doctors and the patient.  Unfortunately the patient’s husband had also been stabbed and sadly passed away before arriving at hospital. Other family members were also involved with the assault.

The police were present, and due to the nature of the situation questions were time critical and extremely sensitive.  Agnes supported the patient, who was extremely distressed, and assisted the police with some questioning.  She was also asked to inform the patient of her husband’s death which she did with great kindness and compassion.  Agnes remained in resus to offer support to the patient.  Agnes showed great courage by continuing to man the crash bleep for the remainder of her shift.

Patient Access Team

York Hospital

Since the start of the pandemic last year the patient access team have been at the forefront of the Covid-19 PCR swabbing service for staff and family members.

This service has grown throughout the last year and recently the team were given the mammoth task of a 72 hour routine swabbing of staff involved in an outbreak of Covid-19.  This meant the team had to co-ordinate booking all staff in for a test every 72 hours over a three week period. This equated to over 700 staff on top of the usual service.

The team have worked tirelessly into evenings, weekends and bank holidays to contact staff and create new CPD records, always with a smile on their face and at the time of the nomination have booked a staggering 3,357 swabs.

Emergency Department team

Scarborough Hospital

The past ten months have been extremely challenging for the Emergency Department team at Scarborough Hospital, as with many parts of the NHS.  The whole team is nominated by their Matron for the hard work and dedication they demonstrate on a daily basis, particularly the approach by the whole team to ensuring the department continues to provide safe, timely effective patient care.

The department has had to undergo rapid changes to their environment to respond to the Covid-19 surge, where the team responded responsively and calmly.  From enthusiastically adopting new processes without judgement, to welcoming temporary staff and supporting them without question, the ED team are described as ‘simply remarkable’.

Kathleen Merrick

Obstetrics and Gynaecology Consultant, Maternity Department, York Hospital

Kathleen is nominated by a mum, Sarah, who was left with anxiety and PTSD due to a very difficult first pregnancy and labour that resulted in an emergency caesarean and the baby in the special care baby unit. In September 2020 Sarah came back to maternity with her second pregnancy which unfortunately ended once again in a caesarean. The memories came flooding back for Sarah who broke down fearing her baby would be taken away as previously.

Kathleen stayed with Sarah the whole time to make sure she was calm and relaxed, reassuring her and allowing the baby to stay with her from the moment she was born to the ward, where she checked on her in the evening. Kathleen arranged for a debrief call two months after the birth and for support to be put in place – ‘her attitude and understanding was incredible’.

Beech Ward

Scarborough Hospital

The whole team from Beech Ward is recognised for their ‘outstanding’ care as a respiratory ward and more so since April 2020 where they have responded to the challenges of Covid.  They have had to work under the most difficult situations and circumstances whilst wearing PPE3 and all the time with big smiles under their masks.

Nominated by a colleague, who describes being ‘in awe at how they handle the pressure day in and day out when caring for our acutely ill patients on CPAP or NIV’, and their resilience, their development and confidence and their ‘pure, honest caring and kindness’ for the sick patients they have been nursing. There has been sadness and tears but as a team working together there is much to be proud of – ‘we know that our patients receive the best possible care from such competent, confident and caring nurses.’

Hannah Clayton

Waiting List Co-ordinator, York Hospital

Hannah is nominated by her line manager for the way she dealt with an 87 year old vulnerable patient who was brought to day unit reception for a plastic surgery procedure. Unfortunately, due to miscommunication within the patient's care home they hadn’t been told that the procedure had been cancelled a few days before. Consequently they were extremely distressed and in tears. Hannah stepped in with compassion and empathy to calm them and rearrange their procedure, making sure all the arrangements were in place for it to go smoothly.

Taking the patient's age into consideration Hannah liaised with the pre-assessment team to get the swab kit and arranged for the kit to be posted to the care home. On the day of the procedure she kept a close eye on the patient's admission to make sure nothing was missed.

Willow ward, Theatres, Radiology CT team

Scarborough Hospital

Nominated by learning disability liaison nurse Jo Blades, this huge team effort reflects a shining example of patient centred care for a gentleman with a learning disability and very complex needs.

He needed eye investigations and bilateral cataracts removed under general anaesthetic as well as a CT scan. Because of the complexity of the gentleman's needs adjustments required an alternative entrance to the hospital and Willow Ward for his own use during his admission.

Everyone involved worked together as a team to enable this to happen including pharmacy, security for a reserved parking bay and the CT department to carry out the scan at the appropriate moment. From anaesthetics and theatres, consultants who carried out procedures and tests, domestics and the staff of Willow Ward  - all have played a role in making a ‘notable difference’ in the gentleman's life since having the operation.

Emily Clarkson

Staff Nurse, ICU, Scarborough Hospital

Emily was nominated by a patient’s family for going the extra mile at an extremely emotionally challenging time for the family while dad Melvyn was in hospital with Covid. He was in for several weeks and had to be induced into a coma whilst struggling to fight Covid.

Emily used her own mobile phone to call the family so they could talk to dad and offer words of encouragement  - even though he was in a coma – which brought comfort to the family knowing he might be able to hear them. Emily also held Mervyn’s hand and passed on our personal messages, which once again provided much comfort to the family.

Emily and all the ICU team are praised for going above and beyond.

Eve Rowntree

Clerical Officer, Waiting List, York Hospital

During October and November 2020 a difficult situation arose for the waiting list department when positive Covid cases in the department meant the majority of clerical staff had to self-isolate for two weeks. The team cover crucial roles in the theatres day unit and endoscopy receptions. Eve was one of the very few clerical officers who did not have to self-isolate as she was on annual leave when the situation occurred.

Having found out about the struggle the department was facing, Eve selflessly cancelled her annual leave and agreed to work at the reception until the rest of the team were back to work. This saw Eve covering endoscopy reception single-handedly, working twice as hard as this area is normally covered by two members of staff.

Louise Bowman, Children's Community Nursery Nurse

Community Children’s Team, York Hospital

Louise works with lots of families with children with life limiting and life threatening illnesses. She provides play and craft activities to explore emotional wellbeing. Louise has been nominated specifically for her work with a family whose one year old twin has just passed away from cancer. She worked closely with them to create memories of the child by organising photo shoots, ceramic and canvas artworks using the child's handprints and those of his siblings.

She worked extra hours, on days off, and travelled to Leeds General Infirmary several times, where the child was extremely poorly, to complete artwork in order to get the memories made. ‘The family think the world of her, as do we as a team’.

Sheryl Tattersall, Speech and Language Therapy Assistant

Paediatric AHP team, Selby Hospital

The paediatric speech and language therapy team, largely instigated by Cath Brown, Advanced Clinical Speech and Language Therapist, has introduced 'teletherapy' as they are unable to have face to face appointments due to Covid. While Cath supported the team to get going with virtual therapy, Sheryl used her initiative and creative skills to produce a wide range of innovative and interesting resources for the whole team to use.

She is praised for her huge adaptability and creativity, going above and beyond her role and often creating resources in her own time It included researching apps to enable parents to access teletherapy resources on their personal devices. This ensured that teletherapy was engaging for the children they work with, enabling virtual appointments to be accessible and fun for children.

Matron Sam Soulsby, Senior Sister Karen Brown, Healthcare Assistants Donna Kenny and Elaine Linsley

Chestnut Ward, Scarborough Hospital

Described as ‘absolutely amazing’ by the daughter of a patient whose dad was really poorly and admitted to hospital. He also has vascular dementia. After moving from Lilac Ward to Cherry Ward due to contact with Covid and then a night in CCU, he was moved to a closed bay on Chestnut Ward where fortunately the staff knew him.

They kept the family in touch via his daughter’s phone and using their own phones to Facetime and send her cherished videos of him. The patient’s photo book helped staff to calm and communicate with him for the nine days he was on Chestnut Ward where he improved enough to go home. The team are praised for keeping their patient happy and content and going beyond their job roles – ‘I cannot thank them enough for the care and support they have given my dad’.

Shirley Richardson, Occupational Therapist and Ash Nicholls, Physiotherapist

Acute Medical Therapy Team, York Hospital

Shirley and Ash were supporting a patient who was being discharged to home under fast track status from ward 31. The patient had marked changes to his mobility and function, resulting in facing considerable lifestyle changes on discharge. His wife was also undergoing serious medical treatment and has been facing a particularly challenging time. They provided emotional and practical support to both the patient and his wife who, due to current restrictions, had limited support.

Both Shirley and Ash worked beyond their role requirements, including going to the patient’s home to move furniture and personal belongings to enable him to get the required equipment into his home quickly. They are praised for their dedication, compassion and hard work to meet the patient’s and his wife's wish to return home.

Jim Ferguson, Arran Carney and Jax Mason

Urgent Care Centre

Jim, Arran and Jax are nominated for the professional and caring way they dealt with a very sensitive safeguarding case. When assessing a young person they recognised that there were serious concerns around how she sustained her injury and identified how vulnerable she was. The work carried out to find out her real identity and ensure she was safe is described as ‘extraordinary’.

They followed the Trust safeguarding protocol while ensuring they maintained patient centred care. As a direct result of their actions the child is now safer with more safeguarding agencies involved in her care which may prevent other vulnerable children from being exposed to similar abuse. This was an example of excellent emergency department staff collaboration and teamwork to protect a vulnerable young girl and her unborn baby and they all played a vital role.