Patients asked to nominate staff who go the extra mile

By Jamie Hill - 17 April 2018

Health

Great Western Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is calling on patients across Swindon to once again nominate staff who have gone above and beyond for this year’s Patients’ Choice Award at the annual Staff Excellence Awards.

Now in its ninth year, the Trust’s Staff Excellence Awards is an opportunity to celebrate the outstanding achievements, hard work and dedication shown by staff caring for patients every single day of the year.

The only category on the night in which nominees are chosen entirely by the public, the Patients’ Choice Award is designed to shine a light on staff that have made a real and positive difference to the care of their patients. 

Oonagh Fitzgerald, Director of Human Resources, said: “Our Staff Excellence Awards are a fantastic way to not only say well done, but thank you to such an inspirational group of people.

“It’s so important for us to put time aside and celebrate our staff and make sure the incredible things they do every day don’t go unnoticed.

“I always look forward to the Patients’ Choice Award. It’s particularly special as it’s a chance for patients, as well as their carers, relatives and friends, to shine a light on those people who have made a real difference to their lives.”

Any person who works for the Trust can be nominated for the Patients’ Choice Award, regardless of whether they work at the Great Western Hospital, or provide care for people in their own homes across Swindon. 

Last year’s Patients’ Choice Award was won by Sleep Specialist Nurse, Samantha Backway. She was nominated by a number of patients for her work in helping people with conditions like Obstructive Sleep Apnoea.   

One nomination read: “Sam is just the most amazing nurse I have ever met. She is so caring in nature, nothing is too much trouble. She goes beyond the call of duty and you can tell she loves her job. She provides a wonderful service and is a wonderful support to patients. I'm very lucky to have Sam as my Sleep Nurse, she is a credit to the NHS.”

Another described her as “a wonder” and “irreplaceable.”

Judges will select a shortlist from all of the nominations received from the public and those on the shortlist will be invited to the special ceremony in June where the winner will be formally announced. 

To make a nomination, visit www.gwh.nhs.uk and complete the easy-to-use online form.

If you would like a paper copy of the form, please email [email protected] or call 01793 646066. 

The deadline for nominations is 5pm on Friday 4 May. 

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