UHDB's finance team shortlisted for two HFMA awards
A huge congratulations to UHDB’s Finance Team who have been shortlisted for not one, but two finance awards for the Healthcare Financial Management Association (HFMA) Awards.
They have been shortlisted for ‘Team of the Year’ in both the local HFMA East Midlands Branch and the prestigious national HFMA Awards.
The HFMA Awards recognises the work of finance teams and individuals, covering the production of financial accounts, training and development, innovation, and spreading financial awareness outside of finance departments.
Over recent years, UHDB’s finance team identified areas within their services that needed to be improved. Following on from this an incredible amount of work has been done to make those changes, and continuously make improvements to services.
Ian Calladine, Group Accountant, joined the Trust in June 2020. Ian said: “I came to UHDB to make a difference for both patients and the finance team that I am proud to be part of. Being shortlisted for the HFMA Team of the Year shows how serious that we are as a team in being our best and wanting to continuously improve.”
The Finance Team’s mottos are ‘Adding Value Together’ and aspire to be ‘The Best Place to Work’, which was agreed upon following a team poll. Steps have been taken over the last 12 months to achieve these goals, including recognising the advantages of working with non-finance managers and clinicians to ensure that the services delivered add value to patients and staff.
Along with this, a wellbeing and personal development group has been established within the team. The purpose of the group is to help develop and encourage each other by building a happy, healthy, and open culture. Wellbeing huddles take place fortnightly, and the team are regularly signposted to support, training and wellbeing activities taking place. The training offer has been improved to the wider finance department to enhance development as a team. Monthly training sessions take place, which this year have included a motivational speaker, psychological safety, and EDI network. These sessions have been positively received by colleagues, with a high level of engagement and over 80 attendees each month.
The team have achieved Level 1 FFF Accreditation and are striving to achieve Level 2 early in 2023. Also, improvements have been made to internal systems, including ESR and setting up the internal ordering system, Unit 4 and the training of relevant staff members.
The UHDB finance department works across the system providing full financial services support for Derbyshire Community Health Services NHS Foundation Trust.
Simon Crowther, Chief Financial Officer and Deputy Chief Executive at UHDB, congratulated the team on their two nominations: “The department has made significant improvements to the services provided, and thoroughly deserve this recognition on a local and national level for the hard work you have put in to adding value to patients and colleagues. Well done on being shortlisted and good luck!”
The HFMA East Midlands Branch Awards took place on Thursday 11 November and although the team did not win regional Team of the Year, our fingers are firmly crossed for the national HFMA Awards, which are taking place on Thursday 8 December in London.
Good luck finance team!