Two Bradford hospital workers have scooped top ‘gold’ and ‘silver’ national awards in recognition of their skills.
Consultant Rheumatologist at Bradford Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Philip Helliwell, has been presented with a prestigious lifetime achievement award.
Prof Helliwell, who is also Professor of Clinical Rheumatology at the University of Leeds, was named winner of the ‘Skills for Health Our Health Heroes’ gold award, following a distinguished career dedicated to advancing the understanding and treatment of psoriatic arthritis (PsA). Meanwhile, IT apprentice Ben Martin was crowned runner-up Apprentice of the Year and presented with the silver award.
The presentation took place on Tuesday, 16 April at The Skills for Health Our Health Heroes Awards’ ceremony in London; the awards are sponsored by NHS England, NHS Employers, NHS Shared Business Services.
Prof Helliwell’s decade-spanning achievements have left a lasting impact on patient care, with significant contributions to the development of outcome measures, screening tools, classification criteria and treatment guidelines. He is credited with transforming the management of PsA globally. PsA is a long-term condition that causes joint pain, swelling and stiffness, and as such can have a significant impact on sufferers’ quality of life.
As the Chief Investigator of the ‘ClASsification criteria for Psoriatic Arthritis’ (CASPAR) study, Prof Helliwell led ground-breaking research that resulted in validated criteria for PsA diagnosis. Widely accepted internationally, these criteria have brought uniformity to patient selection in studies, ensuring better comparison of clinical outcomes and risk factors, ultimately improving patient care
His expertise is valued by his patients and has inspired the next generation of rheumatologists.
Speaking at the ceremony, Prof Helliwell said:
I’m really surprised by the whole process. And to think that I was held in such high esteem, is just a massive surprise to me.
IT apprentice Ben began his journey with the Trust six years ago via an initiative called DFN Project SEARCH, which provides young people with learning difficulties and autism the opportunity to gain valuable work experience.
Since the scheme’s inception at the Trust, many interns – after undergoing three work placements as part of the scheme – go on to secure paid work at the hospitals and throughout the district.
While enrolled on DFN Project SEARCH, Ben spent time working and gaining experience in various Informatics (digital) departments across the Trust, and soon became a recognisable voice on the end of the phone assisting staff with their everyday IT queries.
So successful was Ben’s introduction to life at Bradford that he was later offered the opportunity to embark upon an apprenticeship.
Speaking at the awards’ ceremony, Ben said:
I was quite shocked to find out that I was nominated, but to win this award is really amazing.
I did an apprenticeship for two years, which was difficult at times, as I’ve never really been to mainstream school.
When I started, I tried to learn stuff off by heart and the management team really took time to help mentor me. It all worked out really amazing and they’re the reason I have this award today.
Rachel Pyrah, General Manager for Informatics says:
Ben is a very popular member of the team and we soon realised what a great asset he was.
The feedback we receive from colleagues who liaise with Ben is excellent. He is very compassionate and endeavours to help colleagues. He is now in a permanent role within our data quality team where his conscientious approach and eye for detail is proving, once again, to be invaluable to us and our service users.
His positive attitude and enthusiasm are infectious.
Since completing his apprenticeship Ben has been approached by the Trust’s education department to become a Careers Ambassador.
This will see Ben visiting local schools and colleges to talk to students about his journey in the NHS with particular focus on his experience of completing his apprenticeship and how he has developed and overcome the difficulties he has faced with autism.
DFN Project SEARCH is now in its 11th year at the Trust and since its launch, more than 70% of Project SEARCH graduates gain jobs, while 60% achieve full-time permanent roles at the Trust.