Awards 2019

The Celebration of Achievement Awards 2019 took place at the Lion Quays Hotel in Oswestry on Thursday 21 November and was compered by Eric Smith, presenter of the Breakfast Show on BBC Radio Shropshire.

See below details of all the winners - including of our two Patient Choice Awards, which were kindly sponsored by Lanyon Bowdler Solicitors:

Outstanding Team Achievement of the Year Award - Estates Team

Encompassing the electrical staff, boiler house staff, building staff, mechanical staff, maintenance assistants and all their team leaders; the Estates Team play a vital role within the hospital. Their nomination particularly calls out the work they do to keep the Main Kitchen running. Their speedy and efficient response to problems ensures patients get fed, keep staff safe, and save money as their skills prevent the hospital having to outsource work to external contractors.

Outstanding Individual Achievement of the Year Award - Kerry Adams, Clinical Nurse Specialist, Montgomery Unit

Kerry was appointed to her Clinical Nurse Specialist position just over a year ago, in what was intended to be a developmental role. However, circumstances have seen her quickly having to take on more leadership responsibility, and she has earned praise for the professional and mature way she has stepped up. She received two nominations for this award, citing how she has done everything “with a smile on her face and an encouraging word for all her team mates”.
Sir Robert Jones Doctor of the Year Award - Mr Andrew Bing

Mr Bing is an ankle surgeon who could truly be described as a world leader in his speciality, performing more ankle replacement procedures last year than any other consultant in the whole of England. He embraces research, currently serving as Principle Investigator on one national study and one international study; both looking at ankle replacements. He is also driven by education, willingly training surgeons from other centres and so driving improvement in ankle replacements.

Cornerstone Award - Implant Room

The Implant Team take on significant levels of responsibility, overseeing all aspects of one of the biggest budgets in the Trust, around £9 million of Implant spending per year. The hospital gets through over 11,000 Theatre cases every year, and this would not be possible without the hard work the Implant Room team put in.

League of Friends Volunteer of the Year Award - Gwyndaf Lloyd

Gwyndaf dedicates so much time to our hospital that he has practically become a full-time member of staff. He is friendly, warm and always ready to help – so it is entirely appropriate that he has worked on our Help Desk for the last three years! His welcoming manner is often remarked upon by patients and visitors. Gwyn has some disabilities but does not let them hold him back in any way from his commitment to helping others.

AHP/Pharmacist of the Year Award - Sam Dawson

Sam has a strong reputation for being a diligent, knowledgeable and talented leader in his profession. Colleagues say he is generous in sharing his knowledge and experience, and someone who is fully committed to delivering exceptional patient-focussed care. His pleasant manner makes him a well-liked, well-respected colleague, who we are fortunate to have as part of our team at RJAH.

Richard Clarke Unsung Hero Award - Mark Devaney, Wrekin Ward Staff Nurse

Mark’s nomination describes him as someone who does not have any idea of just how special he is. He is praised for the consistently great care and empathy he has for highly distressed and vulnerable patients with acute spinal cord injuries. The nomination particularly hails the way he has repeatedly been able to make connections with some challenging patients over the last year.

Partnership Award - Shropshire Community Health NHS Trust

We have been working particularly closely to further the development of musculoskeletal services across the footprint of the Shropshire, Telford & Wrekin STP. Across Shropshire, we have historically seen huge variations in the provision of MSK services. We knew it didn’t have to be this way, and have been keen to work more closely and more collaboratively with other local NHS providers. Shropcom has been a close and enthusiastic ally in this work.

Governor of the Year Award - Jan Greasley

Jan has a long affiliation for RJAH, and a real passion for our hospital. She has served us with distinction – first as an employee and then as a hugely dedicated lead governor who has seen us through some tough times and helped us to a much better place. Term limits means that we must soon lose her from our Council of Governors, and she will leave huge shoes to fill, such has been the magnitude of her contribution.

Service Improvement of the Year Award - Quality Improvement in Surgical Teams project

There is growing evidence that operating on anaemic patients puts the patient at higher risk of post-operative complications and results in a longer length of stay in hospital. Prior to this service improvement, severely anaemic patients who are identified at pre-operative assessment would have their surgery postponed and referred back to their GP for further investigations. Changes brought about by the QIST work mean anaemia is being identified and treated much earlier, so that surgery is not deferred or cancelled at short notice.

Clinical Scientist of the Year Award - Caroline Stewart

Caroline is respected and valued by her colleagues as a knowledgeable and passionate colleague, and an inspirational leader who is always willing to listen, and to offer their counsel. She is someone who is both innovative in her thinking and actions, but also caring in her outlook – towards both patients and colleagues. This is a combination that has proved to be extremely powerful. Being a scientist supports her commitment to innovation, whilst her inherent kindness supports her in making sure she puts innovation into the context of helping patients.

Education and Learning Award - Danny Smith, Costing Assistant, Finance

Danny’s nomination notes that he has been at RJAH for 10 years but joined the Finance team four years ago in what was a big career move for him. He had already been studying for an Association of Accounting Technicians NVQ Level 2 and 3 in his own time, and at his own expense, such was his commitment to pursuing a finance career. He has now completed those studies, and his team believe he has the ability to progress further by studying for his professional accountancy qualification in the future.

Living the Values Award - Cian Arnold, People Services Information Assistant

Cian is described in his nomination as a star of HR, who doesn’t just live the values, but is the values! He is noted for being approachable and helpful, extremely diligent and helpful, and will always do whatever he can to help colleagues across the Trust, even if not really within his job description. Every good team needs a Cian!

Chief Executive's Award for Inspirational Leadership - Miss Gill Cribb

Gill is a doctor who, as well as delivering outstanding outcomes, has also proven to be an outstanding role model as well. She is the Clinical Lead for the Tumour Unit, where she has earned the respect, loyalty and commitment of the full multi-disciplinary team. She is not only an excellent surgeon, but someone who has emerged as a strong role model for all, and a huge advocate for the voice of women in orthopaedics. She has supported trainees to learn and to improve – many of whom have remarked on her unwavering support and encouragement.

Mary Powell Nurse of the Year Award - Anne Lloyd, Ward Manager, Clwyd Ward

Anne is is respected across the hospital, not least by her own team, who talk of her dedication and compassion, and the unwavering support she offers to anyone fortunate enough to come under her leadership. She is regularly praised as someone who will always go out of her way to make sure staff and patients and well cared for. She is an inspiration – to her own team, to all nurses at RJAH, and to her wider colleagues as well.

Patient Choice Award (Individual) - sponsored by Lanyon Bowdler Solicitors - Jean Blakemore, Healthcare Assistant, Alice Ward

There were three nominations for Jean, all commenting on how helpful and friendly she is to all patients and their families. The nominations comment that she always has a smile on her face - and she even is even given the added accolade by two of the nominators of making the best hot chocolate!

Patient Choice Award (Team) - sponsored by Lanyon Bowdler Solicitors - Midland Centre for Spinal Injuries

The MCSI team received five patient nominations for this prestigious award. They were summed up by this sentence: "You'd think that with such serious injuries, MCSI would be full of misery, doom and gloom but it's the complete opposite due to the quality and professionalism. It's a wonderful place and one of the few places I feel totally at ease and safe."