Team and Employee of the Month – July 2018

We’re delighted to announce that the winner of our July 2018 Team of the Month award is the Clinical Engineering Team.

Thanks to their extensive technological expertise, members of the team have a huge impact on the service we are able to provide to our patients.

The Trust now uses an increasingly wide range of medical equipment, ranging from simple devices such as nebulisers through to the latest technology. And together the team works in what can at times be a difficult environment to provide the best possible technological support.

Our engineers get involved with the entire lifecycle of medical equipment, from testing new devices and introducing them into service, through to advising on their correct use and maintaining and eventually disposing of them.

Liz Brooks, lead for risk and governance for the Division of Diagnostics, Anaesthesia and Surgery (DADS), nominated them for the award.

She said: “I have worked with this team for many years and have always found them to be engaged and willing to assist with any work I am doing relating to medical devices.

“I have recently visited a number of wards, departments and theatres to discuss issues around governance. When asking about the maintenance of equipment I have received an overwhelmingly positive response about the work of the Clinical Engineering team, who work right across the Trust.

“I have been told repeatedly that they are organised and diligent and work in a timely way, but also that they are polite, positive, engaged and helpful. Moreover, they have a can-do attitude and always go the extra mile to support wards and departments and ensure equipment is kept working to the best of their ability.

“They also have years and years of technical experience and are just fantastic!”

On presenting team member and healthcare scientist specialist Steve Hird with the award, chief executive Professor Clive Kay, explained that the judging panel had felt that the team also provided a great example of ‘working as one’ and ‘valuing people’.

Head of Clinical Engineering, Iain Threlkeld, said all 17 members of the team could be proud of winning the award.

He said: “This award is about them. It has been given in recognition of the standards everyone puts forward.

“We have quite a few members of staff who have been here for over 20 years, and we have graduates and an apprentice who have been able to learn from the more experienced team members.

“Most people have done some sort of engineering qualification and we have people from all industries, but whatever the problem we try and come up with solutions.”

Many congratulations to them all for their hard work!

The winner of July’s Employee of the Month award is a truly outstanding example of loyal service and dedication to patient care for more than 50 years.

We were inundated with nominations for our very worthy winner, Sister Barbara Brown, from Adult Outpatients at St Luke’s Hospital, which all talked about her ‘dedication, care and compassion’ to both her patients and colleagues.

Staff Nurse Sarah Matthews, Adult Outpatients, described Barbara as “an outstanding role model”, and Senior Sister Samantha Bull added Barbara “encompasses everything that a nurse should be”.

“Barbara lives and breathes the Trust’s values and is a valuable member of the Adult Outpatients team and the Trust as a whole,” added Samantha.

When she was presented with the award by director of HR Pat Campbell, Barbara was overwhelmed but admitted “It’s nice to know you’re appreciated.”

Barbara started as a cadet nurse in 1962 at St Luke’s Hospital and apart from a short spell at Bradford Royal Infirmary has remained there. She joined the St Luke’s Nurses League on qualifying and is still part of this association.

Rachael Heley, Healthcare Assistant, summed up Barbara’s contribution to the NHS over many decades: “With the NHS celebrating 70 years this year, I think it would be great to recognise a staff member who has given her life, her commitment and her love to her job role for so long. She is also very caring to her staff as well as the patients.”

Robert Bussooa, service manager at St Luke’s, told me: “I can think of no-one more deserving of recognition.”

And Joanne Young, head of planned Access, said: “Barbara is a valued member of the team and a most worthy winner. Nothing is too much trouble for her and she’s a great role model.”