Making a Difference - Award Winners

Security staff serving the Royal Derby Hospital have been recognised by Trust Chief Executive, Gavin Boyle, for protecting staff, patients and visitors when ‘Covid-19 denying’ protesters turned up at the entrance of our Derby site back in November 2020.

The Security Team went above and beyond to control the unfortunate situation and ensured staff and patients felt safe despite the negative actions of those who turned up on multiple occasions to share their misguided thoughts on the on-going pandemic.

Gavin Boyle stated in his weekly blog: “It’s probably not worth directing a message to those responsible for this, but if you think Covid-19 is a hoax then you are misguided. If you want to protest about this – that’s up to you, but don’t do it where there are anxious patients and families and where our staff are turning up day in, day out; putting themselves and their families at risk to care for the people who need us.”

Unfortunately, one of our security officers was assaulted by one of the protestors. We worked with our partners at Derbyshire Police who were very supportive and increased their presence at the hospital to help us.

To thank our Security Team for their brave actions and the support they provided to staff, the team were awarded with this months “CEO Award”.

Gavin Boyle virtually presented the award to the team via MS Teams where Security Officers ,Louise and John, joined him on the call. He said: “I think you do an absolutely fantastic job supporting the public and our staff that work at UHDB. It’s a sad fact that some of the people in the communities we serve can be really difficult.

“I watched the national BBC News piece last week where we saw one of our ICU nurses speak about the protestors outside of the main entrance – I know many of our staff found this event very distressing.

“I am proud of your diplomatic approach to keeping our staff, visitors and patients safe – you really bring the values of our organisation (Compassion, Openness and Excellence) to the job that you do”

Mark Stoakes, Security Manager at UHDB said: “It’s a real privilege for the security team to pick up this award and it is testament to the hard work they put in day in, day out, making sure that our patients, staff and visitors are kept safe and that the Trust’s premises is a safe place to be. Well done to everyone in the team, you have done a sterling job and continue to do so, and I am really proud of each and every one of you.”

Louise, Security Officer at Royal Derby Hospital said: “We really appreciate the recognition you have given us today and to hear it from above is really meaningful to us – we will make sure to pass this on to our wider team.

“The pandemic has had a massive impact on our jobs and the way we are able to deal with incidents. We’ve had new problems arise due to pandemic such as the Covid deniers and those coming on to site who don’t want to wear the masks to keep them and others safe. Some of those that we challenge look at us as if to say “who are you to tell us?” We’re not trying to be a jobsworth, we’re just trying to do our jobs and continue to keep the Royal Derby and the wider UHDB sites a safe place to be.”

 

A Derbyshire Gran has thanked the surgeon who made it possible for her to hold her granddaughter for the first time.

In 2020, Mandy Taylor suffered a nasty fall which left her in terrible pain and both elbows continuously dislocating. After not being able to do “normal things” for herself for a year, Mr Tambe reassured her that he would fix her elbows.

Most importantly for Mandy, Mr Tambe’s work has allowed her to be able to hold her one year-old granddaughter for the first time in her life. Mandy said, “This means the absolute world to me.”

                                                                                                   

 

Mr Tambe was awarded the “Patient Hero” award for the fantastic work and patient care that he provided to Mandy. Dr Magnus Harrison, Medical Director and Deputy Chief Executive, virtually presented the award to Mr Tambe via MS Teams. Dr Magnus Harrison said “It’s always fantastic when you receive such good feedback from your patients – I hope it has given you the pat on the back that you so deserve.” 

                                                                                                                          

Mr Tambe said: “It’s the care that I would give anyone, no matter who they are, but for Mandy to take time to nominate me, wow, that is really special. It is not just myself that has played a part in Mandy’s journey – the physios, my secretary, the splint workshop, the list is endless – they all deserve credit for this too.

                                                                                             

When Mandy found out Mr Tambe had been awarded our Patient Hero Award, she said: “I’m overwhelmed and so pleased that Mr Tambe has received his very well deserved award, he’s a fantastic surgeon that reassured me every step of the way throughout a very difficult year during my immobility, pain and two reconstructive surgeries on both my arms during covid, a very caring nature and compassionate surgeon with a happy smile. Thanks Amol, you're my Hero; simply the best.”

Congratulations and well done Mr Tambe.

Has a member of our staff gone above and beyond for you? Did they help save your life? Send us your story to uhdb.employeeawards@nhs.net using the subject “My Patient Hero”

A young woman who underwent emergency surgery at Royal Derby Hospital has thanked the surgeon who saved her life.

Jess Wilson from Derby, nominated Consultant Laparoscopic & Upper GI Surgeon, Mr Syed Iftikhar, after he performed emergency surgery on her in August 2020. Jess was in hospital with a bile leak which lead to Pneumonia and Sepsis – this required surgery immediately. Mr Iftikhar, who has worked at the Trust for over 25 years, was on a day off, but as soon as he heard Jess needed the surgery, he drove straight to the Royal Derby Hospital to assist.

After coming round from her operation, Jess thanked Mr Ifitikhar for everything he had done to make her better and coming in on his day off to operate on her. Mr Iftikhar responded, “I didn’t get into medicine for my days off, I got into medicine to make people better”

Kathy McLean, Chair at UHDB, presented Mr Iftikhar with a “Patient Hero Award” on behalf of his patient, Jess, in recognition of his life saving work. Kathy said: “It is a great honour to present you with this award. We both started at the Trust back in 1994, and I know that you have always put patients at the heart of everything you do. You clearly had a massive impact on Jess, who nominated you.

“It really is so special when a patient or relative goes out of their way to thank us for the work that we do. Well done.”

On receiving the award, Mr Iftikhar said: “I come from a very humble background and have always wanted to help people whenever I can. I have never gone for glory or recognition. To me, patient care is paramount and the appreciation I get from the patients for just doing my job encourages me to work harder and do more for our communities.”

We contacted Jess to let her know that her nomination had won Mr Iftikhar our Patient Hero Award. She said: “I am so happy he has won this award, it is very much deserved and hopefully puts a smile on his face during these challenging times”

Has a member of our staff gone above and beyond for you? Did they help save your life? Send us your story to uhdb.employeeawards@nhs.net using the subject “My Patient Hero”.

Congratulations to Paul Brooks, Director of Patient Experience, Estates and Facilities at UHDB, who has been awarded our January “Chief Executive Award”.

Paul, who has worked at the Trust for over 30 years, was chosen by Gavin Boyle, our Chief Executive, to celebrate Paul’s achievements over the last few months. Not only has Paul showed great dedication and commitment to supporting UHDB colleagues throughout the on-going pandemic, but he has most recently been awarded an MBE for his services to Healthcare Leadership.

Gavin Boyle presented the award to Paul via MS Teams on Friday afternoon to thank him for his efforts and congratulate him. Our Making a Difference Awards are usually presented to colleagues face to face, but we are having to make some changes and present virtually due to the pandemic.

Since Paul joined the NHS in 1983 as an apprentice plumber, he has played an integral part in the development of what now is UHDB; from leading the intergenerational care programme, the development of volunteers and support of sustainability exploration, through to revamping sites at speed, increasing critical care capacity, during the Covid-19 pandemic. Paul is universally regarded as an inspirational leader and known for promoting positive and inclusive experience.

His innovative ways of working have been pivotal in reducing C. difficile rates within the Trust, with ‘The Derby Door’ having a major impact in managing the Covid-19 cross-contamination. Innovations extend to his development of Air Arts, a charity using art to create a calm and welcoming environment for all accessing our sites, modernising the ways in which we can enhance recovery for patients at UHDB.

When presenting Paul with his award, Gavin Boyle, Chief Executive said: “I’m really sorry Paul; I can’t really beat an MBE with my CEO Award! We’re so made up for you and everything you have achieved – anyone you speak to believes it couldn’t have happened to a nicer guy!

“You are a fantastic leader and shouldn’t underestimate anything you have achieved – well done!”

Paul said: “Thanks so much for this award and all the lovely messages I have received over the past couple of weeks – I’ve been so overwhelmed by them all. I don’t take compliments that well, so it has been pretty difficult to accept them on mass!

“I’m so lucky to be able to work with my amazing, dedicated team each and every day – you can’t buy the kind of team and support that I have! We are all one and this is a brilliant lift to have received at the end of the week.”

If you would like to nominate a colleague or team for a Monthly Making a Difference Award, please let us know!

There are four monthly Making a Difference Awards categories:

Chief Executive Award – Chosen by Gavin Boyle

Patient Hero Award – Nominated by patients     

Team UHDB Award – You can nominate your team or another team

Excellent Employee Award – You can nominate your colleagues

You can send a 300 word nomination along with the name of the team or individual, their job title and where they work, to uhdb.employeeawards@nhs.net.

A Healthcare Assistant from London Road Community Hospital has been praised for her outstanding patient care with our “Excellent Employee Award”.

Lesley Shaw, who works in the Parkinson’s Team, was nominated by a colleagues for her friendliness and gentle manner and always putting the patients first. Her colleague Fiona Lindop, Specialist Physiotherapist said: “Lesley is an amazing team member who is always putting the patient first. She greets each patient who arrives in our department with friendliness and gentleness that puts them at their ease, especially in these challenging times. She demonstrates her care for everyone, including helping individuals who have had strokes, and can only use one hand, to gel their hands as they arrive in the department. She ensures that each person is treated with great dignity and respect, no matter how busy or stressful the working environment is.

“In addition to this, Lesley will offer her help to any team member in any way that she can - going above and beyond on so many occasions. She is prepared to step in to help in whatever way she can, and has just stepped in to manage face to face clinics to protect colleagues who have had to withdraw from face-to-face encounters for their own health reasons.”

In an emotional, surprise MS Teams call, Kathy McLean, Chair at UHDB, presented the award to Lesley. Lesley said: “It’s quite overwhelming to receive this award; I don’t know what to say. I always try to do my best for the patients. I’m absolutely speechless, what a lovely surprise.”

If you would like to nominate a colleague or team for a Monthly Making a Difference Award, please let us know!

There are four monthly Making a Difference Awards categories:

Chief Executive Award – Chosen by Gavin Boyle

Patient Hero Award – Nominated by patients      

Team UHDB Award – You can nominate your team or another team

Excellent Employee Award – You can nominate your colleagues

You can send a 300 word nomination along with the name of the team or individual, their job title and where they work, to uhdb.employeeawards@nhs.net.