Ashford and St Peters Hospitals NHS Trust

Over 60 staff and 12 teams have been recognised for their efforts over the past year in the Ashford and St. Peter’s Hospitals NHS Trust annual Appreciation Awards – the awards for hospital heroes.   The Awards are designed to demonstrate the Trust’s appreciation of employees and volunteers who have made a sustained and exceptional contribution to the work of the Trust and its community, and those members of staff who have completed 25 years service.

Present at the Awards were the Mayor of Spelthorne, Cllr Andrew Hirst and the Deputy Mayor of Runnymede, Cllr Jim Broadhead along with Clinical, Executive and Non-Executive Directors of Ashford and St. Peter’s Hospitals NHS Trust.   Speaking at the end of the ceremony Trust Chairman Clive Thompson CBE said: “Both staff and volunteers at Ashford and St. Peter’s frequently work beyond the call of duty.   Our awards this year recognise some of those who stand out as deserving special recognition.   Congratulations to all those who have received awards and to everyone who works at our two hospitals for their efforts over the last year.”

Chairman’s Award

Trust Chairman Clive Thompson CBE recognised the work of the Trust Chaplains with a special award to Chaplains Judith Allford and Sister Mellitus Lawlor.  

The citation recognises that Judith works tirelessly to support patients, relatives and staff in an amazing way.   She always gives the impression of having the time to listen and empathise in a totally non judgemental and professional way. Judith’s special personality makes her open and approachable; we are very lucky to have her. 

The citation for Sister Mellitus recognises that she has been a Chaplain at the Trust for over ten years, initially working at Ashford she moved across to St Peter’s to support Judith.  She works closely with local Roman Catholic clergy to provide an exemplary ministry of pastoral and spiritual care. She is a friend and pastor to many staff as well as to patients and their families. This year Mellitus celebrated the 50th anniversary of her religious profession – a truly remarkable achievement.

Team Award

Two teams from amongst the 12 nominated were winners on the night of the Team Award:

Medical Staffing Team:  This team, comprising Elaine Beaumont and Stuart Overhill make a tremendous contribution to the recruitment process for junior doctors starting at the Trust at the beginning of August.  The failed Medical Training Application Service (MTAS) led to a great deal of uncertainty for both junior doctors and Trusts. The Medical Staffing team were under immense pressure to keep up to date with changing developments and often conflicting information. It is a credit to them that they managed the process and ensured we had junior doctors allocated to posts for August.

Education Centre Team:  Modernising Medical Careers (MMC) represents a major reform of the delivery and quality assurance of postgraduate medical education. The Education Team, comprising Ros Baggott, Margaret Scrivens, Darren Pirson, Angela Langwith-Green, Gladys Essien, Alison Roser and Lynn Moran have worked hard to facilitate the reform which has seen a significant change and increase in formal work place assessment of junior doctors. It has been a particularly challenging time as requested information regarding training posts often changed on a daily basis. The staff remained calm and focused under this increased pressure, and their contribution was a major factor in the success of the August change over of junior doctors.

The teams on Holly Ward at St. Peter’s Hospital and at the Rapid Access Centre at Ashford Hospital were highly commended in this category.

Employee of the Year Award

Rebecca Clarke who works as a Medical Support Worker in the Trust’s highly regarded Rapid Access Centre at Ashford Hospital was named ‘Employee of the Year’.  Apart from being an ‘outstanding asset to the Trust’ Rebecca received many nominations and some of the comments were:

• an essential member of the team; her enthusiasm and diligence have contributed to the success of the Rapid Access Centre;
• has developed her role above and beyond the call of duty and always maintains a friendly and positive outlook; and
• demonstrates great respect for patients and staff alike and works tirelessly to make the patients’ stay as reassuring as possible.

Volunteer Awards

Alice Roberts who volunteers in the Breast Clinic, in the Outpatients Dept at St. Peter’s Hospital was recognised by the Trust with the Volunteer Award.   Alice is the long term team leader of volunteers who supply tea and biscuits and kind words not only to anxious patients passing through the busy Breast Clinics at St. Peter’s, but also the hard working staff.   Alice never fails us, she also organises fund raising events to benefit the charity Breast Cancer Care.  Alice is recognised for her quiet and caring contribution to the Trust and its patients.

Beryl Higgins who volunteers in the Breast Feeding Clinic, in Maternity services was Highly Commended for her voluntary services and recommended because Beryl is like your favourite aunt, always welcoming and pleased to see you.  She enables us to do our job well by taking the responsibility for hospitality therefore ensuring a good first impression.

Special Achievement Award

Special Achievement Awards were made to:

Edward Aurelio, Nurse on Kestrel Ward was nominated for the very professional nursing of a male patient during the last days before he died.   The patient’s wife said that Edwards nursing was exceptional.

Simon Cai, Day Surgery Porter is described as a very eager and valuable member of the team. He is dedicated and keen to learn and is always helpful. He works hard and is always happy and smiling and never complains.  We have to persuade him to take breaks and he is never off sick.

Stephanie Daniels, Receptionist, Day Surgery Unit is someone who always goes the extra mile, nothing is too much trouble; she has worked through times of staff shortage and still continued to give 110%. Stephanie always deals with patients and doctors professionally and is always approachable.

Dwayne Gillane, Occupational Health Advisor has successfully completed his Masters Degree with merit and assessed whether poor awareness of reporting procedures with regard to needlestick injuries was leaving Trust staff at risk of developing blood borne viruses. Following this study he has increased the education and training particularly to A&E and Walk In Centre staff and has helped to review Trust policy in relation to the management of innoculation injuries.

Beverley Ruby, Therapy Assistant Practitioner, Occupational Therapy Dept works on the A&E observation ward in her capacity as an Occupational Therapy Assistant. She uses her knowledge and expertise to support the nursing & medical staff working within this area and is a superb team member.

Tomasz Nowak, Housekeeping Assistant, Pathology Dept has the responsibility of cleaning the Pathology Department at St Peter’s, a large area where special precautions are necessary in order to ensure health and safety is maintained.  Thomas is keen and the quality of his work is commendable; he is always happy to apply his skills to situations and areas which go outside his job description.

25 Years Service

During the course of each year awards are made to employees who have achieved 10 and 25 years service with the Trust.  

The following were amongst 22 staff recognised for 25 years service at Ashford and St. Peter’s hospitals:

• Marilyn Adcock, Senior II Radiographer
• Chandani Bhadye, Senior Staff Nurse, Eye Ward
• Kit Brown, Senior Staff Nurse, OPD
• Padmadevi Caulee, Staff Nurse, Holly Ward
• Mr Patrick Chapman, Consultant ENT Surgeon
• Jose Garcia-Gonzales, Porter
• Dr Pramod Kumar, Staff Grade Doctor, ENT Dept
• Maureen Murfin, Staff Nurse, Falcon Ward
• Debbie Palmer, Matron, Medical CMU
• Angela Turner, Payroll Supervisor, Finance Dept
• Susan Walker, Switchboard Operator
• Brenda Walton, Lead Practitioner Ultrasound
• Dr Peter Wilkinson, Consultant Cardiologist