Today we celebrated October's NBT Heroes. Wearing masks and sat at tables all arranged to enable social distancing, the winners enjoyed a nice sunny afternoon with Andrea Young, Chief Executive and Simon Wood, Director of Facilities.
Amid continuing business, stories of staff perseverance and compassion really shone through from today's nominations.
The awards and ceremony are sponsored by Southmead Hospital Charity, with lunch bags from The Occasional Kitchen taking the place of the traditional afternoon tea this time around in order to support safe social distancing at all times, even in the group photo!
Read more about October's winner's here:
Clair Fensome (Trainee Nursing Associate, NICU)
nominated by Helen Slocombe (Supervisory Ward Sister, NICU)
I have nominated Clair as I have seen how wonderful she is dealing with parents who have faced difficulties in understanding any issues involving the care and treatment of their babies on NICU.
This can understandably lead them to feeling angry, frustrated and upset at times, but Clair has an amazing way of being able to calm the situation and avoid an escalation to a confrontational situation.
Having seen Clair in these situations I have been really impressed at her mature and caring attitude and feel she deserves recognition.
Karen Hurley (Receptionist, Plastics)
nominated by Lotte Hardman (Clinical Fellow, Plastics)
Karen is truly exceptional in her job as trauma receptionist. She checks clinical decisions and makes sure both the patient and the clinical team are fully updated on plans, which can be an evolving situation with trauma patients.
She makes the patient journey safer as well as being an exceptional communicator, putting patients at ease.
She is an absolute hero within the team and I feel often doesn't get the acknowledgement for going over and above for patient care daily.
Christopher Clare (Staff Nurse, ICU)
nominated by Joseph Cooke (Student Nurse, ICU)
Firstly, I would like to mention Chris’ role as a mentor to me during my time here as a student nurse on ICU. Chris is an extremely knowledgeable member of staff, who has been able to provide answers to any question I have had, whether about basics or nursing care or about the underlying physiology of our patients and the “why” behind the interventions we provide. He has provided an environment where I can understand the reasoning behind the care decisions and allowed me to lead the care of patients, while steering me in the right direction.
Chris has also stayed on after his shift has finished, providing de-escalation following stressful events that he wanted to make sure wouldn’t have a long term effect on me.
In everything that Chris does, he acts with the utmost compassion. He takes time to answer family’s questions to the best of his ability, and when managing expectations for the patient, he gives the family time to think through what has been said; supporting them through what is undoubtedly a life changing event.
Based on what I have been taught, Intensive Care Medicine is much about treating the patient as it is about aiding the patient to recover and heal themselves, limiting the stressors applied to the patient. Chris exemplifies this by providing a rationale for every nursing intervention we provide, attempting to group procedures together so that the patient has plenty of time to rest and recover.
This is why I think Chris deserves to be an NBT Hero.
Monica Devenyi (Clerical Worker, Microbiology)
nominated by Laura Tanner (Music Manager, Fresh Arts)
Monica Devenyi is a hugely valuable member of my team of volunteer pianists. Since lockdown, all volunteer pianist activity by non-staff members has been put on pause, which could have meant the Atrium became a very quiet and sombre space. Having, approached six members of staff back in March to see if they might be interested in keeping going (whilst complying with all appropriate infection control measures) four were happy to continue performing (in addition to doing their regular jobs at NBT), Monica being one of them.
Of my four original pandemic pianists and nine musicians overall; Monica has single handed racked up nearly 40% of the total 82 hours of performance time gifted to the hospital community since March, an enormous 31 hours of performing! Sometimes playing twice in one day, often playing more than once per week, I really want to take this opportunity to publicly recognise the hugely valuable contribution Monica has made, not only by committing to play during this challenging time, but doing so with such regularity, enthusiasm and skill.
She has also been an enormous help in inspiring other staff to come forward and apply to play. As well as this, Monica has previously worked hard to organise ensembles of staff members and also played for our very popular and moving Last Post on Remembrance Day in November 2019, something she is eager to repeat this year (wider circumstances permitting). I really can’t praise Monica highly enough for the commitment she has shown towards volunteering for the Music programme over the past seven months.
Annelot Nieuwenhuis (Senior Project Manager, IM&T)
nominated by Harriet Soderberg (Project Manager, IM&T)
Annelot joined NBT at the start of 2020 and, despite being new and having been employed to lead the Outpatients work stream in the EPR programme, quickly rolled up her sleeves and dedicated herself to whatever new work was required as part of the COVID response.
During this time, Annelot implemented Attend Anywhere across more than 50 specialties in the Trust, worked with NHS England to create support resources for clinicians, patients and other users, co-developed the Trust-wide communications for the project, including intranet documentation and setting up a support mailbox, and set up the future implementation strategy and structures for handover to service desk. At the same time, Annelot supported the Project Manager responsible for the deployment of CareFlow Connect and Vitals by helping to build and configure the iPads and spending several days a week out in the hospital, on the Wards, training Clinicians.
Since the restart of the EPR Programme, Annelot has taken a leading role in developing the design stage strategy and has been instrumental in getting the Functional Design Groups up and running, allowing colleagues across the trust to contribute to the localisation of the CareFlow Patient Administration System so that it meets the needs of NBT.
Aside from her fantastic work, supporting the digital development of the Trust, Annelot is a kind, friendly, helpful and supportive colleague. She made my first couple of months at the Trust very welcoming and I would not have settled in so quickly without her.
Mary Lynch (Senior Midwife /Co-ordinator, Central Delivery Suite)
nominated by Lily Exell (Midwife, Central Delivery Suite)
Mary recently went above and beyond her CDS co-ordinating role, taking on the case of a woman and her family (who she had met previously) when they sadly experienced a full-term IUD pregnancy. Mary provided exceptional midwifery care to this family by providing continuity throughout her pregnancy, meaning the woman did not have to explain her history at every appointment. Mary also provided continuity at delivery where she came into the unit to support the woman and her partner when their baby was born.
Mary's reassuring voice and presence enabled the woman and her partner to feel at ease during a stressful time. The woman and her family were extremely grateful for Mary's support and input throughout their pregnancy, when understandably experiencing high levels of anxiety. The woman even reported that she would not have been able to get through her pregnancy if it wasn't for Mary.
Mary is a true NBT hero and an asset to midwifery.
Mary Wilson (Diagnostic Radiographer, Breast Care Centre)
nominated by Rachael Farmer (Mammographer)
I would like to nominate Miss Mary Wilson, deputy superintendent Mammographer at the Avon Breast Screening (based at Southmead). She is an incredible individual who has supported the staff and myself both personally and professionally throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.
Her wonderful interpersonal skills mean that you get a real sense of empathy and understanding when she speaks and listens to you, and she is always so respectful of everyone’s needs. Despite being a fair few years younger than most of us, her maturity has made her a natural leader.
I feel she fully deserves this recognition as an NBT Hero for her continued and ongoing efforts to support her team and the trust.
Holly Pearse (Wheelchair Therapist, Wheelchair Services)
nominated by Kim Harris (Booking and Admin Clerk, Wheelchair Services)
Holly really goes above and beyond in her role and is a real asset to the service. Recently she was sent flowers by a wheelchair client for helping her get the right wheelchair, which the client feels has changed her life.
We recently had a gentleman who is at risk and been sent to a rehab centre as he keeps having falls at the age of 86. Holly came up with a plan so that she could visit the home address with the client’s daughter to assess for an electric wheelchair. She then went out of her way to visit the client in the Rehab Centre to trial a power chair. Her aim was to ensure the client could return home from rehab and have a chair that he could use in his home to improve his situation and to prevent him from falling.
Holly always thinks outside the box and always puts the client first. She is a pleasure to work with and we all feel very proud of what she does for our team.
Harsha Gunawardena (Consultant Rheumatologist)
nominated by Sarah Emerson (Consultant Rheumatologist)
and Keziah Austin (Specialty Registrar, Rheumatology)
Sarah:
Harsha is our clinical lead and an outstanding member of our rheumatology team. He specialises in looking after patients with connective tissue disorders and vasculitis and as a result, reviews some of the most complex, unwell patients in the hospital. He is always willing to offer an opinion and frequently helps a wide variety of specialities to ensure that the patient receives the highest possible level of care that we can offer.
Our fellow colleagues and our trainees really value and respect his input and expertise. He commenced his role with a vision for the department and he has gone on to rapidly deliver this. He has ensured that we have successfully expanded our team by appointing more nurse specialists, and a consultant pharmacist. He has dealt with staff shortages and new challenges within the department in a calm, approachable and efficient manner. Harsha also led the specialty mega team during the COVID-19 outbreak. He demonstrated great leadership and multi-specialty working and showed that he is very adaptable and always willing to help during a crisis.
We feel that we are exceptionally lucky to have Harsha working with us in Southmead and are extremely thankful for all he does!
Keziah:
Harsha is an extraordinary colleague. Despite his huge level of responsibility, he is always calm, approachable, and ready to support and teach his juniors. I feel I could go to him with any issue, big or small, and that he would always listen, and find a way to tackle the problem. Outside the department, both at NBT and beyond, he is renowned for being a truly excellent clinician. Colleagues have him on speed dial for their trickiest cases, and patients, never fail to sing his praises for his thoughtful, patient-centred, compassionate care. Being his Specialty Registrar in clinic can have its downsides (specifically the look of disappointment on every patient’s face when they realise they’re seeing me rather than their favourite doctor!) but I have learnt a great deal from him, and know that I have been very lucky to have worked alongside him. Harsha is a fantastic leader, but will always have time for any member of the department, and consistently goes above and beyond for his patients. “NBT Hero” could not be more fitting.
Caroline Hartley (Head of People)
nominated by Liz Perry (Director of People)
I want to nominate Caroline for her amazing work in introducing Just Culture to the organisation. For over 12 months, Caroline has been championing and implementing the principles of Just Culture into the core work her team does in supporting and developing line managers in the challenging role of being a line manager - changing our approach from potential blame, sanction and formal process to one of fairness, accountability and improvement. For example the decision making process to support managers when making difficult decisions about whether to exclude staff - with the focus on keeping staff in the workplace, not out of it.
She has spent much of her time meeting with many stakeholders to ensure they understand the principles behind Just Culture and why it is so key, which has been so compelling it has resulted in the work being done in true collaboration with the quality and safety team. Caroline brings true innovation to NBT in her very quiet and unassuming way that often leaves her unrecognised for the huge contribution she makes. I think she is a true NBT Hero and I am very proud to have her in my team.
Aisling Cashell (Research Development & Grants Officer)
nominated by Mary Lynch (Senior Midwife /Co-ordinator, Central Delivery Suite)
I am a clinical midwife on a labour ward and also a research midwife. Whilst I am very capable in my midwife role of delivering babies, I have no clue about financial structures of research grant submissions!
Aisling is my go to person for questions about grant applications - she is my calm whenever I start to panic! She is unfailingly helpful, completely supportive and never makes me feel like I am asking a silly question.
As I was completing my first grant application recently she has been a massive help, a font of knowledge and gives really excellent advice and ideas on how to produce a stronger application. I am so appreciative of her help recently, she truly embodies the values of excellence at NBT and I think her a completely worthy recipient of a Hero Award. Thank you Aisling for your help!
Hannah Tovey (Operational Administrator, Outpatients)
nominated by Claire Critchard (Operational Support Manager, Outpatients)
Hannah has returned to work after a period of time shielding due to Coronavirus. Hannah had up until this point been working as a much valued member of the Outpatients Nursing Team, within the Orthopaedic Gate 12. In order for Hannah to be able to return to work safely Hannah was asked if she would like to take on a different role within the team, a role that not many would be brave enough to do! Hannah was tasked, alongside myself, to organise and overhaul the clinic room bookings for all Outpatient gates. Hannah has taken to this role incredibly. She has organised meetings with AGM's and Specialty Managers, run her own scheduling meetings and proven to be an essential part of our small little admin team. She has received compliments from all of the specialties that she works with, and she has ensured that if she can assist in any way that she problem solves to the best of her ability. Hannah always remains calm and professional even when things are not always running very smoothly, and she is open and approachable. The fact that she is now doing a totally different job speaks for its self, and she really has taken to it like a duck to water. So much so I don't think I could live without her help now!
I just wanted to nominate her for this award as I believe that she is a true NBT hero. And also to give her the confidence and appreciation that she deserves. She has proven herself within the division and her hard work has been recognised by our senior management team, and she is now a permanent member of the admin team working as Outpatients Operational Administrator.
Hannah Jones and Ian Riddell (Corporate and Community Officers, Southmead Hospital Charity)
nominated by Adrian Brown (Corporate and Community Manager, Southmead Hospital Charity)
Carried forward from April 2020 when a physical ceremony was not possible.
Christmas at Southmead Hospital is an incredibly busy time for all of us, both clinically and clerically, but also for Southmead Hospital Charity. Over the last few years the Charity has steadily been increasing its activity externally and within the hospital itself to capitalise on the season for giving and make the festive period as exciting as it can be for all patients, staff and visitors.
2019 produced a record breaking financial result for the Charity, achieving almost £60,000 of associated income and the majority of this was achieved through our Corporate and Community team. This included live music from our Great Bristol Buskathon, delicious cakes from the Bake Well - 12 Bakes of Christmas, the dedicated heart Christmas tree display, our festive market stall and Christmas raffle, the amazing Float group, corporate partnerships and a host of local fundraisers who were inspired by the spirit of Christmas to support our hospital. Added to this was the opportunity to recognise patients who were in the hospital on Christmas day with a small gift from the Charity.
This is a huge amount of work for any team and couldn't have been achieved without the exceptional dedication of Ian Riddell and Hannah Jones, who just one year after joining the Trust have become integral members of the Charity team. They managed an incredibly busy programme with ease, maintaining their good humour and kindness to staff, patients, volunteers and donors throughout. The results clearly speak for themselves and I am sure they will deliver great things for the Charity and NBT over the course of 2020 and indeed next Christmas. We couldn't achieve our potential without people like Ian and Hannah and as their manager, I feel very privileged to work with them.
Adrianna Smart (Support Manager, Dermatology)
nominated by Katherine Finucane (Associate Specialist, Dermatology)
During and after the COVID crisis, dermatology clinics have had to be delivered in new and different ways. This has meant a lot of rearranging clinics and new builds of clinic templates. Adrianna has done a lot of work to make sure that outpatients are being seen in the most appropriate clinic and has made sure the service runs efficiently. She has had to inform patients about remote clinics, video consultation, how to use a photography apps.
She has tirelessly changed processes to make sure the patients are getting the dermatology service they require.
She has smoothed the changes for the medical staff and is a true NBT hero.
Patrick Shaughnessy (Physiotherapist, Trauma and Orthopaedics)
nominated by Denise Axelsen (Physiotherapist, Major Trauma)
I wanted to praise all the hard work Patrick has done for patients under his care in ortho-spines. He has a truly committed and all round holistic approach to his work. He is assertive in getting clear plans documented; ensuring any area for doubt is covered to ensure patient safety with their care on the ward. He has been consistently looking to improve MDT communication across the spinal pathway to better enhance quality, consistency and safety within this area.
He is consistently hard working, diligent and also empathetic with his patients and has a strong presence with his peers across the therapy and nursing teams.
He has been key in supporting some incredibly complex spinal patients and always has his fingers on the pulse of what is going on to support patient flow through the hospital, care and signposting to the next stage of their recovery.
Maisie Hughes (HCA, 32A)
nominated by Olivia Maskell (Advanced Nurse Practitioner)
I would like to nominate Maisie for a NBT Hero Award, she repeatedly provides excellent care to our frail patients on the frailty admissions unit. She is always encouraging patients to be up and dressed and is an excellent advocate of enablement, I witnessed Maisie looking after the female bay, every patient was up and dressed in their own clothes, this is so important for this group of patients to stop deconditioning. She has embraced the changes to the new frailty admissions unit and is a very valuable member of staff.
Emma Skidmore (Ward Sister, 26A)
nominated by Tara Iles (Matron, ASCR)
Emma changed wards to assist with leadership on ward 8B. Emma has worked in vascular surgery for many years and was understandably somewhat anxious about moving to a renal ward. It was explained to Emma that her nursing experience, energy, enthusiasm and leadership style was what we needed on 8B, not the renal knowledge, and Emma agreed.
Emma made a real impact on her secondment to 8B, which was noted by the Senior Sister, fellow nursing colleagues, AHPs and doctors.
Emma was not there to ‘fix’ anything but to challenge culture and brought ‘fresh eyes’. Initially some of the nursing staff were sceptical and unsettled but soon realised that Emma was there to support staff and bring her years of knowledge and experience to share. She proved to be a hugely popular member of the senior nursing team and flourished both personally and professionally.
When it was time for Emma to return to her substantive post, a large majority of the staff were very sad to see her go!
Thank you Emma for pushing yourself out of your comfort zone, for the benefit of our patients and staff.
Oliver Pearce (Doctor, Trauma and Orthopaedics)
nominated by Harriet Narey (General Manager, Trauma and Orthopaedics)
During the COVID pandemic, Oly was told that he would have to shield. He took this in his stride and quickly got on board with how he could still contribute to the team and provide value for patients. He started to triage the fracture clinic appointments, reviewing 690 patients over a 1 month period. This allowed the team back at Southmead to focus on seeing the patients that needed to be seen for their face to face appointments. He was also giving advice and guidance to patients so that they could manage their own condition at home without having to come in for further hospital appointments. Oly was always happy to help and support the team and is a real team player. A big thank you from all of us for all of the work that you have done Oly as it definitely helped us out during those early days!
Lora Loney (Domestic, Paediatric Outpatients)
nominated by Debra Sainsbury (Staff Nurse, Westgate House Children’s Centre)
Lora has been our domestic at Paediatric Outpatients for the last 7 years. She has always gone above and beyond her role to help us. Apart from just being an amazing caring person whose work is always to the highest standards, she has also helped us in many ways. She helped me find my wedding ring several times! I take it off to take bloods and misplace it. She's shut windows for us when we've left them open and one day we had an awful storm and I'm sure the rain would have got in. But one day she noticed the medical fridge had been switched off. She messaged me on social media and we immediately returned and moved the contents to the fridge in NICU. If left switched off, we would have lost hundreds of pounds of skin prick testing equipment. Lora has sadly left us for a job in CDS. They are lucky to have her and we would like to say a massive thank you to her for all her hard work. We will miss her so much.
Chloe Stewart-Robinson (Physician Associate, AMU)
nominated by Susan Bessant (Ward Sister, Gate 31)
I would like to nominate Chloe Stewart-Robinson (Physician Associate) who works on AMU, whom I observed today going over and above her role to ensure a patient with extremely complexed issues was discharged safely.
Patient required a special wheelchair, that the patient and her family thought had been taken back to the supply company, but had not.
Chloe spent time contacting different hospitals/wards patient had been admitted to in the past 6 months, eventually tracking down the chair and arranging for it to be collected, so was at the patients home when she arrived.
She also ensure all other aspects of the patients discharge was safe and in a timely manner.
Please consider her for a NBT Hero Award.