A nurse from Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust has received the prestigious Silver Chief Nursing Officer Award, recognising the outstanding commitment she has given to her work.
Chantal Baker, Nursing and Midwifery Excellence Lead Nurse, received her award on Tuesday 14 December during a virtual presentation from the Chief Nursing Officer for England, Ruth May.
The Chief Nursing and Chief Midwifery Officer Awards recognise the significant and outstanding contribution made by nurses and midwives in England and their exceptional contribution to nursing and midwifery practice. The silver award recognises the performance of an individual that goes above and beyond expectations of the everyday, providing consistently outstanding care.
Ruth May became Chief Nursing Officer for England in 2019 and is passionate about nurturing the next general of NHS nursing, midwifery and allied health leaders.
In view of the continuing pandemic, Ruth presented the award via video link, thanking Chantal personally for the leadership she has shown both at the Exeter Nightingale and in her current role.
Nominations for the Chief Nursing Officer Awards are made by a Chief Nurse or senior members of a nursing or midwifery team, and are reviewed by NHS England and the NHS Improvement Senior Management Team for Nursing and Midwifery.
Deborah Kelly, Chief Nurse at Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust, said: “This award recognises the tremendous hard work and commitment Chantal gives to her work, particularly in relation to the establishment of the Exeter Nightingale hospital throughout 2020 and 2021 and I am immensely proud that she is now a part of our Torbay and South Devon family.
“Chantal works tirelessly to engage and motivate colleagues across our organisation as our Pathway to Excellence lead and embodies what it means to be a nurse. She is passionate about developing and supporting people to achieve and excel.”
On receiving her award, Chantal said, “I’m delighted and surprised to have received this award. I was very lucky to have worked with a fantastic, dedicated team at the Nightingale Hospital Exeter and I feel I share this award with everyone who was part of that team. I particularly want to recognise and thank Tom Whitehead, Operational Medical Director and Chris Crow, Director of the Exeter Nightingale – without them we would not have achieved what we did.
“Receiving this award from the chief nursing officer is a real honour. I am extremely proud of being a nurse. It is a privilege to care for people when they are most in need and also to support my colleagues across the NHS at this most challenging of times.”
Chris Tidman, Deputy Chief Executive Officer of the Royal Devon and Exeter NHS Foundation Trust and Northern Devon Healthcare NHS Trust said: “As the Assistant Director of Nursing for the NHS Nightingale Hospital Exeter, Chantal bought together a new, multidisciplinary team who delivered outstanding patient care to those with COVID-19. Chantal knew everyone’s name and was often seen helping her colleagues provide frontline care – she has defined what it is to be a visible leader.
“We are delighted that Chantal’s outstanding contribution to both the NHS Nightingale Hospital Exeter and the wider NHS across Devon has been recognised with such a prestigious award.”
NHS Devon’s chief nurse Darryn Allcorn said: “Chantal’s work is exceptional – she supported the health system in Devon and beyond by mobilising and providing high quality care at Nightingale Hospital Exeter in challenging circumstances. It is a real honour to support such a compassionate nurse with the CNO award.”
Sue Doheny, Regional Chief Nurse South West, said: “Chantal made an extraordinary impact in the Nightingale. Her compassionate leadership, enthusiasm and passion for high quality care shone through. She showed exceptional leadership through some very difficult times. A really worthy winner of the award – she should be very proud of her achievements.”
