Making a Difference - Award Winners

An extremely grateful cancer patient has thanked the Combined Day Unit at Royal Derby Hospital for their unwavering support throughout the pandemic. 

The patient nominated the team for their outstanding care during his chemotherapy treatment even through the commotion of the pandemic.  

The patient’s nomination for the Combined Day Unit commended their dedication to patient experience to help aid the emotional wellbeing of those receiving cancer treatment. They said: "I am just over half way through chemotherapy and the team have been outstanding. I have really struggled at times with anxiety, fear and generally feeling out my depth.

“The team have always gone above and beyond to reassure and comfort me, making the process more bearable. I could not be more grateful. They are more than just nurses; they are therapists, a warming face, and a wealth of knowledge. I am so thankful for them especially in the current circumstances.”

Phil Bolton, Deputy Chief of Nursing Operations, visited the team to present them with the UHDB Making a Difference Award to thank them for their service to this patient.

Eleanor Stokes, Sister on the Combined Day Unit, said: “It feels lovely to be recognised by a patient who we care for, and it’s a really nice surprise to win the Making a Difference 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 Gavin Boyle
• 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.

A Royal Derby Hospital Nurse working on our Medical Assessment Unit has been praised by colleagues for the work she does to support the Filipino Overseas Nurses when starting at the Trust.

Minnie Inacay, Sister, was nominated by one of her colleagues to receive the UHDB Excellent Employee Award, after supporting them when they first arrived in the UK from the Philippines.

The nomination read: “When I arrived here in UK and joined MAU, I was so nervous as I didn't know anyone on the ward. When I met Minnie, she made me feel so welcome and looked after all of the Filipino overseas nurses. She always goes above and beyond even outside work hours.

“She opened up her house for us, and provides breakfast, lunch and dinner there. Due to covid restrictions, we can't currently go to her house, she now brings pre-packed food which she will cook and bring to work for us.

“Minnie and her husband, Geoffrey, who also works at the Trust, always make us feel so uplifted. One of the traits that she has instilled to us is to "be kind to everybody no matter how they treat you as everybody is going through something that we may not know". And this always helps us get through every shift.”

“Being away from family and working in a new environment can be extremely daunting but Minnie makes it easier for us. We have not only found a colleague in her but found a family - a mother who we can lean on.”

Minnie was presented with her award after finishing her nightshift in the early hours of the morning. She said, “This is such a lovely surprise, I am so speechless – I can’t believe it!”

Executive Chief Nurse, Cathy Winfield, said: “Thank you for going above and beyond to help our overseas colleagues settle in and move forward with their careers on MAU. You’ve been a huge support to them and that’s helped give them a sense of belonging within this country and at our Trust. You do a huge amount and we can’t congratulate you enough for that – carry on doing what you are doing – you are brilliant!”  

Senior Sister for Medical Assessment Unit, Sarah Guy, said: “I am proud to say MAU have almost 100% retention of overseas nurses since 2018 and Minnie plays a massive part in the reason why they have stayed – she is absolutely fantastic and this award is very well deserved.”

Well done Minnie, thank you for everything you do for Team UHDB!