Staff accolades

A multi-disciplinary team went 'above and beyond' to support a patient admitted to hospital with complex health issues and are being recognised for their hard work with the 'Team UHDB' Making a Difference Award.

The patient was admitted to Ward 404 at Royal Derby Hospital, in a face down position he adopted months ago. This position impacted his physical health, quality of life and ability to receive the right care from staff.

At first the patient resisted staff efforts to change position to receive care, food, and drink more easily. Thanks to the perseverance of the team, they were gradually able to help him spend some time on his back before he progressed to an upright position and was able to sit in a chair before he was discharged.

This improved the patient's quality of life and helped him re-engage with the people around him and better manage his continence, hydration, nutrition, and skin. He left the hospital with care needs that could be met more easily.

Gis Robinson, Interim Executive Medical Director, presented Ward 404 colleagues with the 'Team UHDB' award last month and said the team's compassion and hard work to support the patient reflects the quality and standard of care we aim to uphold for all our patients and services.

Gis said: "I was so pleased to hear this great example of exceptional care. It took a lot of patience and perseverance to be able to help this patient and everybody went over and beyond their duties of nursing care to really put the patient at the heart of the service they delivered. On behalf of the Trust, I would like to say a massive thank you for all you do."

Colleagues from a number of services worked together to support the patient. Occupational therapists worked with him daily to spend more time on his back which improved his skin condition and breathing capacity. He gradually improved his sitting balance and the time he spent out of bed.

He was also supported by the Trust's mental health team and medics who gave him non-invasive ventilation to help with his breathing while he was asleep.

Lauren Collins, Senior Sister on the ward, said she is very proud of the team for working together to do what was best for the patient even at times of difficulty.

Lauren said: "We see so many patients and some have more needs than others, but we always do our best to ensure we are giving that patient the care they deserve. It took some time, but the whole MDT team did not give up, they had hope that he would have a better outcome and because of their hard work, he left the hospital with a much better quality of life than when he first came to us.

"In this job we are lucky that we get to make a difference and I am very proud of the team."

Nominate a colleague for a Monthly Making a Difference Award

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 our CEO
• 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.