St John’s staff are heroes
Hard work brings big rewards
Staff at St John’s Hospital have been hailed health heroes at a glittering awards ceremony.
Outstanding NHS Lothian staff members who ensure patients receive high quality care have been given prestigious awards recognising their hard word.
Several workers from St John’s Hospital were nominated in various categories but the big winners were Agnes Gardner and the catering team at the hospital.
Agnes is the laser suite charge nurse at OPD4 and won the Lynn Jackson Award which is given to a nurse who has shown an exceptional level of care and compassion in his or her work and displays a selfless way of working, putting others needs before their own.
Agnes was praised by the judges for her outstanding leadership and tireless efforts within the laser suite at St John’s Hospital.
Agnes has developed the nurse-led service for patients which has allowed the consultants to confidently discharge patients to the care of Agnes and her team. Her patient-centred approach, hard work, calmness and ability to connect with patients and staff made her the winning choice.
She said: “I’m overwhelmed to have won this award. I’m thrilled.”
Also picking up an accolade at the ceremony was the catering team at St John’s.
They won Team of the Year after impressing judges with their excellent performance throughout the year, showing there had been key engagement between managers and clinical staff, evidence of improved outcomes for patients and evidence of patient involvement influencing performance.
NHS Lothian said the catering team at St John’s Hospital is known for going out of their way to meet the needs of individual patients and to learn from feedback. The judges highlighted the flexible and approachable nature of the team and the positive impact this has across the hospital on both patients and staff.
Assistant catering manager, Tony Hunter, said: “This award was possible due to the commitment, determination and hard work of all the staff here at St John’s Catering Department.
“The team’s desire to produce the best quality service for patients, staff and visitors has clearly been identified by being nominated and also winning the award, within NHS Lothian there are many great teams so to win this award is a great achievement for our team.”
NHS Lothian chief executive Tim Davison congratulated the winners. He said: “The hard work and dedication shown by staff at NHS Lothian is absolutely incredible and it never ceases to amaze me the lengths they go to, to help ensure our patients are looked after. The winners have rightly received the highest recognition and I offer them my sincere congratulations.
“We received over 200 nominations this year and picking nominees and winners from such a deserving list was tough because the competition was so high. We give out these awards annually and it is our opportunity to stand back, however briefly, and thank the winners and the nominees for the care they give throughout the year.
“It’s also a chance to recognise that there are many, many other members of the NHS Lothian team who regularly go above and beyond – we are extremely lucky to have them and I am immensely proud to be part an organisation with them in it.”