Outstanding teams and individuals working at Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust (TSDFT) have been recognised for their hard work and dedication in an inaugural celebration of the Our People Awards.
The Our People Awards recognise and reward staff for exemplifying what matters to the organisation – as teams, as individuals, as partners – and as providers of health and care services to the people of Torbay and South Devon.
Quarterly awards take place in April, July and October and staff can nominate a colleague or a team, in a range of award categories, for living the organisation’s people promise or their commitment to integrated care. They can also nominate a colleague or team from a partner organisation for a People Partner Award, (which is awarded annually).
The first Our People Awards winners announced for April 2022 are:
We are a team
· Junior Doctors Representative Committee, Torbay Hospital
“For advocating for not only junior doctors but the patients they look after and the colleagues they work alongside.”
We are always learning
· Healthy Living Programme for Type 2 Diabetes, St. Edmunds, Torquay
“For changing their whole programme delivery to meet the new needs of people with type 2 diabetes during the pandemic by being innovative, agile and compassionate.”
We are safe and healthy
- Della Holwill and Emily Cooper, Community Dietitians
“For improving the care of people who are malnourished in the community, significantly decreasing waiting times by running intensive virtual assessments, improving clinical outcomes and reducing hospital admissions.”
We work flexibly
· Shelia Needs, Liver Specialist, Torbay Hospital
“For her work with vulnerable patient groups. Sheila seeks to understand why, overcome barriers to engagement and goes above and beyond so patients get the healthcare that they need.”
We each have a voice that counts
· Lauren Bone, Torbay Health Visiting and School Nursing
“For working tirelessly to advocate for babies who do not have a voice that can be heard yet, putting their safety at the forefront of her decision making.”
We are compassionate and inclusive
· James Reed, Radiology Quality Manager, Torbay Hospital
“For being an incredibly inclusive practitioner going above and beyond to ensure that transgender and non-binary patients are not subject to confrontational or distressing experiences when undergoing radiography exposure.”
Chair’s Special Award
· COVID-19 and Flu Vaccination Team, Torbay Hospital (team)
“For each and every member of the team showing commitment, resilience, team working, compassion, care, kindness, support, respect, dignity and humour to provide a vaccination service to not only our staff but the wider community.”
In December, a ceremony will take place to celebrate the winners of winners from the quarterly awards, and any highly commended teams or individuals. The coveted Our People’s Choice Award will also announced. This award gives patients, carers and members of the public an opportunity to show their care and appreciation for our amazing staff.
Liz Davenport, Chief Executive, said: “I am hugely proud of our staff and the work they do to support people in Torbay and South Devon to live well and to care for them when they are ill or in need. It is great to have our new Our People Awards which recognise the commitment and hard work demonstrated by our staff and teams even, in times of adversity.
“This is the first Our People Awards celebration since we launched in February and I would like to take this opportunity to say a huge congratulations to all of the deserved winners. These awards recognise staff across the full breadth and depth of our acute, community and adult social care services who are all doing exceptional work.”
Sir Richard Ibbotson, Chairman, said: “Every day our people and our teams do amazing things to care for the people who use our services, to support and look after each other, to encourage colleagues to develop and grow, to improve our working environment and to make people smile.
“The Our People Awards are a chance to acknowledge this fantastic work and to say thank you to our wonderful staff and teams for all their dedication and commitment.”
Sheila Needs, who won the ‘We Work Flexibly Award’, said: “Thank you for this award, I am truly honoured to receive it and am sincerely grateful for the recognition. By changing our practice and having access to a community ambulance, we can now go out into the community and visit more vulnerable people in our communities, who often find it difficult to access our services. This enables us to build good relationships, gain trust and encourage those people to access our services and address their healthcare needs.”
Patients, carers and the public can make a nomination for the Our People’s Choice Award which is open until the end of September 2022. All they have to do is say in a few words why you feel a member of staff, or a particular team, deserves to win this award. Our judges will shortlist all nominations received and in November and the final decision of who wins the award is decided by a public vote.
Find out more and how to nominate at Our People Awards – Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust
