The NHS needs your help!    Time is running out for entries for the Best of Health Awards 2008.   Members of the public, NHS and social care staff are invited to nominate an NHS or social care worker who deserves to be recognised for excellence.   Nomination forms are available in the main entrances to the Trust’s buildings at both Ashford and St. Peter’s Hospitals.    You can also nominate online at www.southeastcoastbestofhealth.nhs.uk.

The public can nominate individuals, teams or services in 6 categories this year which are:

1.         Health & Social Care Professional of the Year;

2.         Unsung Hero;

3.         People’s Experience;

4.         Dignity in Care;

5.         Improving Access; and

6.         Mental Health and Wellbeing. 

The closing date for nominations is 8th February.

“Recognising the excellent work of health and social care staff is important,” says Acting Chief Executive Paul Bentley.  “Many staff in the NHS work above and beyond the call of duty.  Nomination by patients and members of the public is a real feather in the cap and we hope that patients, members of the public and staff will take the time to nominate those that they think have made a real difference to the care of patients. Our own Appreciation Awards at the end of 2007 recognised some of the stars of Ashford and St. Peter’s Hospitals but I know that staff would welcome wider recognition of the work done at our two hospitals.”

Every member of staff from cleaners to consultants and paediatricians to porters is also being asked to contribute to the national consultation on the future of the NHS.    A leaflet about the ‘Our NHS, Our Future’ consultation led by Lord Darzi, a leading surgeon and minister at the Department, is being distributed with January pay slips to encourage staff working for the Trust to make their views known about how the health service should develop over the next decade.

Trust Chairman Clive Thompson CBE says: “We have a strong history at Ashford and St. Peter’s of shaping our own destiny.  Some years ago we identified that that the main business of the Trust’s operations at St. Peter’s was emergency and trauma care along with our specialist neonatal unit, limb reconstruction and cardiology.   We hope in the future to secure a specialist renal centre at St. Peter’s.    At Ashford we are creating a state of the art centres for day surgery and rehabilitation.   In this the 60th year of the NHS it is important that staff and members of the public contribute to this important review of the NHS and help shape the future for the benefit of everyone.”

Ashford and St. Peter’s Hospitals medical director Dr Mike Baxter and consultant cardiologist Dr David Fluck have been participating in the clinical pathway groups which have been looking at how services should be developed across the South East during the coming years.   Commenting on the process Dr Fluck said: “ We have been working hard in the clinical groups to create blueprints for what excellent healthcare should look like across eight areas from birth to end of life.   Working with patients, staff and stakeholders we are creating a vision for healthcare in the South East which is tailored to the needs of all of us who live and work in the South East.”