STAFF from Basildon, Broomfield and Southend hospitals, and their satellite sites, were recognised for their continuing achievements for patients at Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust, in its second Shine Awards.

The awards, which took place at Orsett Hall, showcased the work of staff and the acting chief executive of Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust, Hannah Coffey, said: "I'm very proud we could recognise all the amazing hard-work and dedication of our staff tonight; this is just a snapshot of the work delivered across the Trust."

There were 350 nominations in total, which were whittled down to just 27 finalists by a panel of judges, which also included patients. And from that number there were nine deserving individual and team winners.

Trust chair Nigel Beverley said: "These awards recognise and celebrate the extraordinary work of colleagues at the Trust, and the difference made to patients who use our services every day. The stories we heard tonight are only a small reflection of the brilliant work delivered by our colleagues."

The winners included:

Gareth Smith and Chief Operating Officer Andrew Pike.

The Leadership Award - Gareth Smith, Audiology Manager/Consultant Clinical Scientist

This award recognises an individual who inspires, motivates and encourages colleagues to bring about change, improvement or innovation, championing equality and inclusion.

 Gareth has kept the service running during the pandemic, whilst ensuring staff and patient safety. He developed new Covid protocols for Audiology which now benefit the whole Trust.  Gareth introduced remote hearing aid care to adjust patients' devices from the comfort of their own home.

He said: "It's a pleasure to have this award and represent the audiology department. This will raise the profile of the team and what we do for patients. The best thing about my job is the people, I love the people, the team, our staff, patients and improving their quality of life."

The dementia team.

The Partnership Award, sponsored by Chelmer - Admiral/Dementia and Delirium Clinical Nurse Specialist team

This award recognises a team or individual working collaboratively and across team, professional or organisational boundaries to improve services.

The Admiral/Dementia and Delirium Clinical Nurse Specialists have actively sought feedback from patients using their services encouraging them to share views and experiences. This helps the team to advocate for patients and support them in having their voice heard. They strive to feature dementia in many different forums across the Trust.

Claire Turner who leads the team, said: "I'm so proud of the team, they're not looking for awards and recognition, they're driven by passion and commitment to our patients. For me, it's important that their efforts have been acknowledged."

The Living well with cancer team.

Outstanding Achievement Award (team)- Living well with cancer team

The living well with cancer team designed, established and successfully ran a one-year pilot delivering prehabilitation and rehabilitation for patients with a cancer diagnosis. The pilot helped improve physical and mental wellbeing of patients and optimised recovery from cancer.

The project has had a really positive impact on patients by giving them holistic care, with access to dieticians, occupational therapy, physiotherapy and psychotherapy at any point in their cancer journey.

Emma Chaplin who leads the team, said:  "It feels amazing to win, we have a fantastic team and we work really hard to make a difference for people with cancer."

Gemma Chapman and Hannah Coffey

Outstanding Achievement Award (individual) - Gemma Chapman, Cardiothoracic Centre (CTC) Theatre Tray Room Assistant

Since joining the department in a newly formed role, Gemma has shown an outstanding contribution to the CTC theatre service, managing all aspects of instrumentation of the cardiothoracic theatre service.

Gemma has made this role her own, always works with a smile and provides exceptional communication skills with external sterile services, external specialist instrument companies, other wards and departments, senior management, consultants and theatre users.

She said: "It was honestly amazing and I wasn't expecting to win, I just do my job and go home and feels amazing to be recognised."

Full list of nominess (winners in bold):

Outstanding Team

• Orsett Ward Respiratory team
• Living well with cancer team
• Sunflower Continuity Midwifery team

Outstanding Individual

• Rob Coenye, Clinical Coding Team Leader
• Sumera Ali Zain, Staff Nurse Critical Care Unit
• Gemma Chapman, CTC Theatre Tray Room Assistant

Leadership

• Judy Harper-Bright, Senior Sister (Ward Manager)
• Gareth Smith, Audiology Manager / Consultant Clinical Scientist
• Jade Matthews, Senior Sister in Interventional Radiology

Rising Star

• Shanty Mathew, Staff Nurse
• May York, Recruitment Advisor
• Stephanie Matthews, ST1 Doctor - Internal Medical Trainee Doctor

Partnership

• Kelley Elle Carvalho, Patient Experience Coordinator
• Admiral/Dementia & Delirium CNS Team
• Covid Medicines Delivery Unit

Making A Difference

• Deborah Johnson, Voluntary Services Administrator
• Critical Care Outreach team
• Abha Kalra, Junior Sister

Spotlight

• Jesudass Johnselvan, Theatre Manager
• Bina Gurung, Domestic Assistant
• Fernando Moro-Azuela, Associate Dean of Medical Education

Efficiency and innovation

• Hannah Crumpton and Ruth Bowman, Senior Physiotherapists
• Scott Lavender, Patient Experience Officer
• Blossom Eatherton, Recruitment Lead

Equity and Patient Involvement

• Pulmonary Rehab team
• Adult Speech and Language Therapy
• Florence Nightingale Ward

The Shine Awards were sponsored by Maldon Building Services, Laser Electrical and Cloud 21.