Making a Difference Winners

Excellent employee award - Sarah Balmforth (1)

‘Outstanding and caring leader’ Sarah recognised with Excellent Employee Award

“Devoted” Clinical Nurse Specialist Sarah Balmforth entered the room to a huge round of applause from colleagues, as she was presented with our Monthly Excellent Employee Award for the instrumental role she has played in growing and leading the team at the Pulvertaft Hand Unit at Royal Derby Hospital.

After 39 years of NHS service, Sarah retired earlier this year and has since returned to the department on a part-time basis. Sarah was nominated by a colleague as a thank you for her service, and to recognise her dedication to the Hand Unit.

The nomination read: “Sarah has shown devotion to the diverse range of patients that we treat at the hand unit.

“The team has now grown from four nursing staff to over twenty, which is a testament to Sarah’s style and commitment to patients and to her team, to which she unfailingly presents outstanding and caring leadership daily.”

Some of the improvements Sarah has helped to implement include the introduction of a Nurse Practitioner role within the department, establishing nurse-led clinics, opening a procedure room which enables the unit to perform elective and minor trauma operations, and during the pandemic, developed a seven-day emergency clinics to support the Emergency Department and improve patient flow.

Upon receiving her award, Sarah shared her joy with her colleagues: “I’m speechless! Thank you everyone, it’s been a pleasure to lead this team. I know it will continue to move forward because of all of you. You’re an excellent team and I’m really proud of us and all of the work we have and continue to achieve.”

Sharon Martin, Executive Chief Operating Officer, surprised Sarah with her award, which was presented in front of colleagues from the Hand Unit.

Sharon said: “I’m honoured to present this award to you Sarah. You truly epitomise our values of Compassion, Openness, and Excellence and it’s important that we showcase the exceptional work of our colleagues wherever we can.

“You really deserve this, and you should be very proud to receive this award.”

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.

The Emergency Department team at Royal Derby Hospital

'You deserve a medal': Emergency Department team receive monthly award after glowing patient nomination

The team at Royal Derby Hospital’s Emergency Department have been presented with a Monthly Making a Difference Award after glowing feedback after caring for a patient who had suffered a fall.

The nomination, which stated the team “deserve a medal, each and every one of you”, praised the ED Team for the care and compassion the patient received when attending the department after what they described as “a bad fall”.

Dr Peter Cull, Associate Clinical Director and Consultant in Emergency Medicine, said: “I want to say well done to you all, this is very well deserved. The last few months have been challenging, and this just shows how much your work means to our patients.”

Sairah Akhter, Matron for Emergency Department, said: “I echo Peter’s thoughts and I am so proud of every single member of the team. They are amazing and constantly go above and beyond to help our patients, so to be recognised this way following the kind words of a patient means a lot to us.”

The full nomination, which also heaped praise on colleagues in the ambulance service, read: 

“Following a bad fall resulting in head and facial injuries, I was taken to A&E by ambulance. On it was incredibly busy, but the care I received from the ambulance crew, consultants, A&E staff and those on Ward 101 was wonderful.

“Everyone was so kind and caring at a time when I felt vulnerable and scared. I can’t thank you all enough, you deserve a medal, each and every one of you.”

Dr Kathy McLean OBE, Chair at UHDB, presented the team with their award and said: “It’s so good to hear the positives from patients who have passed through our services, and I am so pleased to hear how totally complimentary this patient has been of you all and the care you showed to them. They said you should all get a medal, so I hope this certificate goes at least some way to showing our thanks to you!”

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.

Kev Orme

Staff Nurse Kev thanked for providing reassurance to nervous patients receiving the vaccine

Of all the people who have had their COVID-19 vaccination across Derbyshire and Staffordshire so far, thousands have first had to overcome a crippling fear of needles.

One UHDB colleague who is going the extra mile to support those that are scared is Staff Nurse, Kev Orme who has been working shifts in our Royal Derby Hospital Vaccination Hub.

Kev, who has worked at the Trust for over ten years, was nominated by a colleague when he supported her and her husband with their needle phobia and hidden disability whilst getting their vaccines.

Part of the nomination read: “Kevin treated us with kindness, empathy and compassion when we had our first Covid vaccine.

“Kevin explained every detail to put us at ease as he could clearly see my husband was struggling with his needle phobia and I with my Hidden Disability.

“Kevin really did make a big difference to our experience, he even told us that it was really commendable what we were doling, which made us feel that we were doing the right thing and felt safe."

Dr Magnus Harrison chose Kev to receive his monthly CEO Making a Difference Award for the exceptional care and support that he had provided to those that were fearful of the vaccine.

Upon receiving the award, Kev said: “Being involved in the vaccine roll out has been a real honour for me. Making sure that staff and patients felt supported in their choice was really important as I was protecting my colleagues and our communities from something that had a profound effect on us all.

“The fact that I was able to play a part in making this colleague and her husband feel protected and reassured made me feel really valued as a nurse”

There is a vaccine available for every adult aged 18 and over across the UK, even if you have previously declined and have changed your mind. To book your vaccination click here or call 119.

If you know a UHDB member of staff or team who should be recognised for their exceptional work, you can nominate them for a monthly Making a Difference Award by emailing uhdb.employeeawards@nhs.net.

Jo Reid Macmillan

Jo, Macmillan Support Assistant praised for providing exceptional care to patients living with cancer

A member of the Cancer Services team at Royal Derby Hospital has been praised by our Interim Chief Executive for going above and beyond to support patients living with cancer.

After our Macmillan Centre manager retired in December, Macmillan Information & Support Assistant, Jo Reid, has kept the centre going all this time with minimal support from her senior colleagues.

Colleagues said: “Jo was obviously anxious about being able to support patients who attend the information centre but has shown herself to be a capable and competent member of the team. Jo has worked tirelessly to make sure that patient care and guidance did not suffer despite having reduced clinical input into the centre.

“Jo has maintained an excellent service for patients and supported the centre volunteers since the beginning of the year.”

Dr Magnus Harrison, Interim Chief Executive at UHDB recognised the exceptional work of Jo and wanted her to be recognised with his March CEO Making a Difference Award. He said: “Jo has shown a compassion and understanding of patients’ needs when they attend the centre for information or support. You can see from the nomination that Jo is an invaluable member of the team and patients clearly benefit from her passion, enthusiasm and dedication in her role supporting patients living with cancer.”

Jo was presented with the award as a surprise. She said: “I feel really honoured to be part of the Macmillan family and to presented with this award, but really I am just doing my job, I haven’t done anything special, just be there for the patients and support them when they need it.”

If you know a UHDB member of staff or team who should be recognised for their exceptional work, you can nominate them for a monthly Making a Difference Award by emailing uhdb.employeeawards@nhs.net.

Jemma Walker Award

Jemma presented with Excellent Employee award for raising the profile of working carers across UHDB

A colleague has received a special award to recognise the support she provides to a network of carers across Team UHDB.

Jemma Walker, Clinical Educator and Co-Chair & Founder of the UHDB Carers Network was presented with the Trust’s Excellent Employee Award after being nominated by a colleague who praised her for creating a space to share experiences and raise the profile of working carers across University Hospitals of Derby and Burton.

Jemma said: “I’m very passionate about carers. As a carer, I go above and beyond in my job because I always think if that patient was my son, I’d want someone to be giving him that high level of care.”

Sharon Martin, Chief Operating Officer and Barbara Day, Head of Professional & Practice Development at UHDB, presented the award to Jemma as a surprise. Upon receiving the award, Jemma said: “I’m really shocked. I’m really pleased that carers have been recognised within the trust, I’ve had some difficult times working and being a carer, I’ve had a few times where I didn’t think I could do both, but I’m in a really good team and I just want to help everybody else.”  

A colleague of Jemma’s, Claire Birds-Whittick said: “Jemma’s son has been poorly lately and she still comes into work after looking after him, to then look after everyone else, she’s amazing.”

Throughout her time as Co-Chair of the UHDB Carers Network, Jemma has also been working on the development of the UHDB carers passport which will further enhance the support the Trust is able to offer to working carers.

As well as her day-to-day job, Jemma works tirelessly continues to develop the Trust’s approach for carers, ensuring that their voice is heard and they are supported on all occasions to balance life both at work and at home.

Part of Jemma’s nomination read: “Jemma has bravely shared her carers story by attending TDG to share her story. She also reverse mentors a UHDB divisional director sharing the challenges and barriers she’s overcome as a working carer- in order to raise the profile of carers at UHDB.

“Jemma always actively listens, acts compassionately and works with others to find realistic solutions for their role and home responsibilities.   She’s a true UHDB hero!”

Jemma said: “I’m very passionate about carers. As a carer, I go above and beyond in my job because I always think if that patient was my son, I’d want someone to be giving him that high level of care.”

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.

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