Published on 15 November 2019
A ward team who help create cherished memories for patients and their families have been recognised for the inspirational care they provide.
The team at Invicta Ward at the Kent and Canterbury Hospital won the Outstanding Care award in East Kent Hospital’s annual Trust Awards ceremony, held in Canterbury on Friday.
The judging panel was impressed with their mantra of ‘happy staff make happy patients’ and their focus on patient-centred care.
Colleagues described them as ‘inspirational and aspirational, providing amazing care with a positive attitude’, and praised the way they go out of their way to make a difference to patients’ lives.
Their nomination read: “The stories and lifetime memories they are creating every day for our patients and their families will be cherished by colleagues and families for years to come.
“They are the essence of the NHS and what we do best.”
One example of the lasting impact of their work involved a visiting student hairdresser, who spent time on the ward to cut patients’ hair and make them feel more like themselves again.
She had struggled to connect with her grandfather since he had developed dementia. But thanks to her time on the ward, observing the staff and talking to them, she was able to learn new ways to approach the situation and spend time with her grandfather.
The ward had a double celebration at the ceremony at the Westgate Hall as two volunteers, Daphne Dore and Ann Skingley, also took home a prize after being named Volunteers of the Year.
Judges were told Invicta ward would be lost without them, after the pair give up time every week to come to the ward and spend time with patients.
Their nomination read: “Without Ann and Daphne we would never be able to offer the service we do to our patients.
“They so easily adapt to the specific needs of individuals and are probably not aware they have such a positive effect on all of us on the ward.
“They are both totally committed to spending quality time with our patients and make a real difference.”
Judges spent hours deliberating before picking three finalists for each of the 11 awards, from hundreds of nominations.
The winners were announced by Trust Chief Executive Susan Acott, who congratulated all those nominated.
She said: “To see so much kindness, caring and passion in one room really was heartening. I’d like to extend my congratulations to all of the night’s finalists and winners.”
Other winners included a midwifery sister who is ‘always smiling’, and a site manager who goes above and beyond to make sure patients can receive inpatient care as close to their homes and families as possible.
Becky DuCane, midwifery sister, was the winner of the Leaders of Change award. Her colleagues described her as inspirational, a fantastic advocate and an expert, and told how she has transformed once-dry training sessions into something interactive and fun using role play and games.
No matter how busy she is, she is always smiling and always approachable, and a real asset to the team.
Charlotte Ramsay, Site Management Officer, took home the Rising Star award. Judges heard how she has taken on an all-encompassing role supporting the site management team, discharge lounge and the site as a whole, as well as supporting the team lead with admin duties.
She works above her pay grade to support junior staff, visits wards across the sites to encourage discharges or progress for patients, and liaises with many different hospitals to transfer patients nearer home or for specialist treatment.
Charlotte’s team value the experience and ideas she has brought to the role, and say she has been a great asset to the department.
The other winners were:
Trainee of the year: Tasnia Ali, Optometrist
Supporting team of the year: IT team
Clinical team of the year: Haemophilia and thrombosis
Fundraiser of the year: Natalie Daly, intensive care, William Harvey Hospital
Living our Values: Sonia Sivyer, Integrated Children’s Services, William Harvey Hospital
Inspirational Leader of the Year: Ursula Marsh, Head of Midwifery, Gynaecology and Children’s Services
Lifetime achievement: Chris Gedge, financial management
