The Peterborough Evening Telegraph
Hospital heroes recognised at virtual awards presentation
Trust which runs Peterborough City Hospital highlights staff who go the extra mile
Staff at Peterborough City Hospital (PCH) have received awards from the North West Anglia NHS Foundation Trust for their outstanding dedication, hard work and achievements during one of the most challenging years in the history of the NHS.
The trust’s Outstanding Achievement Awards for 2019 to 2020 was celebrated virtually, with members of the executive team presenting awards for each of the different categories, which represent each of the trust values. Nominees were the monthly winners from the trust staff awards throughout the year.
Caroline Walker, chief executive for the trust, ended the ceremony by presenting a special recognition award to all staff saying: “This last 18 months has been extraordinary and I want to express my sincerest gratitude to each and every one of our staff.
“We know that individuals and teams across the trust have felt extreme pressure like nothing we have ever experienced before.
“The stories we have shared this evening have been inspiring and heart-warming and I am so proud of all of our staff members who continue to go above and beyond for our patients and each other.”
One of the award winners, for Living Our Values: Caring and Compassionate was Donna Cowell, healthcare assistance on Ward A2 at PCH. Donna built up a good rapport with a patient who had been declining assistance with personal care.
He hadn’t had a bath for eight years, lived alone with no family support, had reduced mobility and was very unkempt.
Donna ran him a bath and spent two hours letting him have a soak, helping him with shaving and washing his beard.
The patient said he was extremely grateful for this and said he felt as if he had been treated like royalty.
Another winner for the Living Our Values: Seeking to Improve and Develop, was Laura Doyle, Macmillan lead cancer
nurse. Laura implemented an idea for a lady who had been an inpatient for almost a year. The patient had not had many opportunities to build any new memories with her newborn baby or other children and she wanted to be at home for as long as possible before she died a dignified and peaceful death.
Laura came up with the idea that the patient could undergo cycles of chemotherapy at home, which would help her to achieve her final wishes.
Laura created a safe policy and set of guidelines for this and truly listened to the patient and made a huge difference to her experience.
The Unsung Hero award went to Magda Osigwe. Magda was made aware that a patient
was really struggling and severely anxious before undergoing a procedure.
The patient didn’t speak much English, so communication was difficult and there wasn’t an interpreter available at that time.
Magda came in and started speaking to the patient in their native language, which provided some immediate reassurance.
She remained with the patient during the procedure and Magda then also returned the following day, despite this being her day off, to come in and support the patient once more.
Magda went above and beyond what is expected of someone in her role and lived up to every single trust value.