'Our very own gem': Sharon praised by colleagues after receiving monthly CEO Award
A Dementia Key Worker who does her best to make her patient’s smile while they are on the ward has been presented with a Monthly Making a Difference Award.
Sharon Dunworth, who works on Ward 311 at Royal Derby Hospital, regularly goes above and beyond to make patients’ experience memorable and comfortable, from organising for them to have fish and chips, to pampering them with a nail trolley and giving them a shave.
Sharon has been hailed a "gem" by her colleagues and, after a particularly touching gesture where she organised a choir to perform at a poorly patient’s bedside, she has been awarded a Monthly Making a Difference Award.
In May this year, patient Alan Glossop was being cared for on the ward when he was having a bad day. When asked by Sharon if there was anything she could do to make him smile, he expressed a wish to hear his former choir the Alfreton Male Voice Choir, sing again.
Sharon got to work and contacted the choir and within two hours they were on the ward surrounding Alan’s bed and making his wish come true with a touching rendition of ‘You Raise Me Up.’
Recap on the touching moment the choir performed at Alan's bedside here >
Magnus Harrison, Interim Chief Executive, was on hand to present the award to Sharon and said her “passion shines through” in her work.
He said: “This is what it’s all about. You make it so special for patients and you are an absolute credit to your team and to UHDB. You are doing such great stuff and it’s much more than your job which is why I am here.
“It means a lot to your patients and your passion shines through in the amazing work you do.”
Sharon said her role is a "privilege" and she feels like she has “the best job in the world”.
She said: “When you make that difference to someone you can go home happy – it means a lot and it is a real privilege.
“I am so emotional I don’t know what to say. I’m proud to work for the NHS and I honestly feel like I’ve got the best job in the world. When you get those magic moments with patients and their family it is so worthwhile.”
Rachel Kirby, Senior Sister on Ward 311, heaped further praise on her colleague.
She said: “Sharon makes such a difference. She doesn’t just support the patients but she makes connections with families too which is absolutely instrumental. I am so proud of her and she really deserves this.”
If you would like to nominate a colleague or team for a Monthly Making a Difference Award, please let us know.
There are four monthly Making a Difference Awards categories:
- Chief Executive Award – chosen by our CEO
- Patient Hero Award – nominated by patients
- Team UHDB Award – you can nominate your team or another team
- Excellent Employee Award – you can nominate your colleagues
You can send a 300 word nomination, along with the name of the team or individual, their job title and where they work, to: uhdb.employeeawards@nhs.net.
Nominations for our annual Making a Difference Awards are also now open!
This is a fantastic opportunity to nominate colleagues or teams and shine a light on the exceptional work that happens every day across the Trust.
We have 10 categories open for nominations, when the nominations close they will be reviewed by a judging panel who will score entries against criteria that link to our vision and values.
For UHDB colleagues wishing to make a nomination: Download and complete a nomination form which is available here >
For members of the public wishing to make a nomination: Please email: uhdb.employeeawards@nhs.net.
You need to include:
- Your name, contact number and whether you would like to remain anonymous.
- Who you are nominating - including their name, job title, ward or department and the hospital site they work at.
- Tell us in your own words why they deserve to win.
Then simply email it to: uhdb.employeeawards@nhs.net.
The deadline for nominations is midnight on 7 August 2022.