Healthcare stars have a chance to shine

COLCHESTER, U.K. - Dec. 11, 2015 - PRLog -- The winners include community champion Samantha Silk, whose Care UK cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) training enabled her to save a life at her gym one day.

Samantha was among 14 award winners who received their accolades at BMA House in London. Her award, along with nursing/allied professional of the year, and health support worker of the year, were decided by public vote. The finalists were chosen from 315 nominees from around the country, representing services which provide care for 19 million people.

Samantha, the theatre administrator at Shepton Mallet NHS Treatment Centre, leapt into action when she spotted a fellow spin class participant having difficulty breathing. The man then had two fits before going into cardiac arrest and Sam carried out chest compressions until the emergency services arrived.

She said: “My training just kicked in; it’s not like me to take charge, but it came naturally.” The man was air-lifted to Bristol, where he made a full recovery and the ambulance crew told Sam that it was due to her rapid response and tenacity that the man survived.

The same proactive approach was the reason behind Jacqui Wizard’s award for nursing/allied health professional of the year. Based at HMP Grendon in Buckinghamshire, Jacqui, a staff nurse, received praise from colleagues and prisoners alike for her dedication to high levels of care. One prisoner, who Jacqui has trained as a smoking advisor, wrote in praise of her, saying she “makes working in healthcare a pleasurable experience and a rewarding place with no discrimination.”

Prison healthcare teams’ expertise and dedication was acknowledged at the ceremony, with the sexual health team from HMP Feltham winning the improved patient experience award for dealing with a challenging prison population and management of the patient list. The Health in Justice team also won the patient engagement award for developing a new technique to encourage prisoners to take responsibility for their own health.

Going beyond the call of duty is a common theme across the awards, and nowhere more so than for Samantha Wilson, healthcare assistant at Southampton NHS Treatment Centre, who won the support worker of the year award. Receiving the award, she spoke about how much it meant to her, as it recognised her dedication not only in covering extra shifts for colleagues but also in her work for charity outside her job.

Southampton featured again in the awards, when Staff Nurse Vysi Chasani won the great care award for her inspirational work and support for colleagues – she was visibly moved to receive it, and said: “This has given me the motivation to do more and work harder.”

Innovation and improvements brought awards for The Bridge team at Care UK’s NHS 111 service, who boosted its  performance, and for the ward team at Barlborough NHS Treatment Centre and Som Menakuru, whose work on improving kidney health among patients was praised.

Gordon Deans, medical director at Greater Manchester NHS Clinical Assessment and Treatment Service (CATS), received the inspiring leader award for his support of the team – his nomination said: “Gordon puts his heart and soul into helping doctors.”

The dedication of Abobaker Farag, a GP at Buckinghamshire Minor Injury and Illness Unit (MIIU), to helping patients, even when his list seems endless, won him the medical professional of the year award, treating everyone with care and professionalism.

Special recognition went to Arti Patel, clinical advisor for NHS 111 in London, for her flexible and positive approach to new responsibilities, to Barlborough NHS Treatment Centre’s porters, whose experience and dedication is invaluable at the centre, and to IT support worker Mark Jones, whose expertise has helped so many within Care UK. Driver and Healthcare stars have a chance to shinereceptionist Anthony Hesson, who works for the Warwickshire out of hours service, was the unsung hero, because of his cheerful willingness and professionalism.

Toni Noble, Care UK’s Health Care head of engagement and communication, said: “It was a wonderful evening and the perfect way to celebrate our colleagues’ dedication to delivering exceptional care to the wide variety of communities we serve. I never cease to be impressed and humbled by their efforts, skill and ingenuity and I wish them continued success in 2016.”