Staff accolades

Two Stores Coordinators based at the Royal Derby Hospital's Renal Unit have been recognised for their exceptional work ethic and dedicated approach to supporting patients and colleagues alike.

Keir Biggins and Andy Redfern help facilitate hundreds of dialysis sessions over the course of the week - as many as 120 a day, six days a week - both within the unit and in the community for patients who require dialysis at home.

Showing compassion, care and flexibility in what can be a challenging role both physically and emotionally, they play a major part in the efficient and smooth running of the unit, working adaptively and flexibly to any logistic challenge they may face - such as the procurement, monitoring and distribution of key consumable equipment.

Acknowledging their invaluable contribution to the Renal Unit's activities and its patients, Chief Technician Andy Muggleton nominated Keir and Andy for the Excellent Employee Monthly Making a Difference Award - which they were awarded with in a surprise presentation by Executive Chief People Officer, Amanda Rawlings.

Accepting the award, Keir said that he was "expecting a very important meeting" - so to instead be receiving the award from him and Amanda was a "very pleasant surprise".

Andy Redfern said their role in the Renal Unit revolves around ensuring there is adequate consumable stock, and "deal with any hiccups along the way to make sure our colleagues have everything they need".

Recent improvement works at our Kings Treatment Centre at the site have meant that they have had to work flexibly to deliver their service, with the adjacent service yard where some of the Renal Unit's important deliveries are received being impacted. Andy continued: "There's been a bit of disruption, with the loading bay we usually receive deliveries halving in size - but we've changed our shift pattern as a result to make sure we're present to accept the early morning deliveries immediately to ensure what remains of the bay is unobstructed.

"If we were to accept the deliveries as normal it would be a big inconvenience to everyone else using the yard. In doing that, we can make sure we're providing the same service that we always do for patients, and our colleagues at the service yard can still provide their service unaffected."

Reflecting on what helps to make a difference in his role, Keir said it was vital to "inherently care about the job you do and enjoy it" - and that being flexible to address everchanging circumstances and challenges was essential, using an abundance of different skills to deliver the role effectively.

He continued: "Knowing what I'm doing is changing lives motivates us every day. Seeing a patient and knowing that you've played a part in their treatment that has allowed them to carry on with their lives is incredibly rewarding. This is a lot more of a patient-facing role than people might think, many of them going through a challenging treatment journey - and we play a big role in not only their treatment but their overall experience with us.

"This is an operational job, but the reason our roles exist is for the care of patients - so as far as I'm concerned, it's just part of the job that you have to go above and beyond and that's what we always try and do."

Presenting the award to the duo, Amanda said: "Every department needs 'a Keir and Andy' - dedicated members of the team whose hard work and flexibility enables their colleagues to deliver their roles to the very best of their ability, secure in the knowledge that all they need to do so is in hand.

"I'm very pleased to be here to present this award, and I've even more pleased to share an organisation with two colleagues whose priorities are unshakeable - ensuring that we deliver the best care possible to every single one of our patients. Congratulations on this thoroughly deserved award."