Awards will celebrate outstanding support staff
From cleaners to receptionists, Solent NHS Estates and Facilities staff have been recognised for going above and beyond.
Six teams and nine individuals have been put forward for Solent NHS Trust’s inaugural Support Colleagues Awards, which will celebrate excellence in non-clinical roles across the organisation.
Mark Young, Deputy Director of Estates and Facilities, said: “Much of our work goes on quietly in the background yet is absolutely crucial to patient care.
“I already knew we had an exceptional team doing amazing things on a daily basis – but they don’t like to shout about it. It is fantastic to see some of them being nominated for awards and getting the recognition they truly deserve.”
Solent NHS Estates and Facilities staff nominated, and why, include:
Rising Star Award
Anna Vasi, housekeeper on Fanshawe Ward, Royal South Hants Hospital, Southampton
“Anna is a great team member. Always professional land focused; she is a true example of our Trust values and the patient first idea. She is a great support for her team members and her manager .”
Outstanding Colleague Award
Darcy Ames, receptionist at Bitterne Health Centre, Southampton
“Darcy continually goes above and beyond to help those in her team, patients and other staff members and does so with a smile. There’s nothing Darcy won’t turn her hand to and has made some beautiful connections with our regular patients. She is always happy to help.”
Barbara Greaves, reception supervisor, Western Community Hospital Campus, Southampton
“Barbara joined Estates’ Site Operations Team at Western Community Hospital in Jan 2021, as Covid was in full force. She hit the deck running and has continued to take on whatever comes her way. She is a true asset to the team and a pleasure to work with.”
Rebecca Ingall-Tombs, project co-ordinator, Maintenance team
“Rebecca has come back from maternity leave and Tuped from Kier, hitting the ground running, working with new systems and covering tasks that are not within her job role. Rebecca has even carried out overtime to help cover long-term sickness within the department . She has been an asset to the team.”
Abigail Omidiran, apprentice energy assistant
“Abi has led the engagement across many internal and external stakeholders to achieve sign-off for design and ordering with installation to take place early April of the Trust’s first solar panels at Western Community Hospital. This will provide nearly 50% of the site required electricity demand and saving 71 tonnes of carbon emissions.”
Dave Keates, health and safety manager
“Despite Dave’s very busy role, he always finds time to help and support his staff and colleagues. He creates a great work environment to help develop anyone. Nothing is ever too much trouble for Dave; he truly lives Solent’s heart values every day. Solent is incredibly lucky to have Dave.”
Kerrie Lowe, PA to Mark Young, Deputy Director of Estates and Facilities
“Kerrie has worked in the Trust for over 20 years. Despite the huge amount of PA work as part of her day job, Kerrie is always on hand to assist everyone with queries, rostering, raising orders, organising meetings and events plus Kerrie goes above and beyond to ensure that everyone feels part of the team. The support of a colleague like Kerrie has proven invaluable during my time in the team and it is one that will leave a lasting impact on me. People like Kerrie are the reason why Solent is a great place to work.”
Lauren Pattison-Debellasis, receptionist at Bitterne Health Centre, Southampton
“I have nominated Lauren because she has gone above and beyond working 11 hour days to pick up security while the contract has been out for tender. Not only doing this, she has been working on her own project to cut down the costs and help our service users but also completing her day to day job role.”
Outstanding Team Award
Access and Transport Admin Team, Rodney Road, Portsmouth
“They support each other, having delivered some extremely challenging and complex access solutions for our staff, patients and visitors. Transport issues and parking are extremely emotive, with the team having to manage people’s understandable frustrations whilst always reflecting the Trust’s HEART values. They have managed this difficult situation for a number of years across all Trust sites, inspiring people to do the right thing and work together in harmony.”
Asset Management Team, Westwood House, Southampton
“The small team work to ensure that Solent occupation in third party premises is documented and that the costs are managed to ensure best value is obtained. Each of the team play their part in the work necessary to support their colleagues, both clinical and non-clinical, often without being visible to said colleagues.”
Reception Team at Western, Adelaide, Pickles Coppice and Highpoint, Southampton
“The reception teams for Estates covering Adelaide Health Centre, Pickles Coppice, Western Community Hospital and Highpoint do an amazing job signposting and supporting both staff and patients, always approachable, happy to problem solve and support and always with a smile, no matter how their day is going.”
Reception team at Bitterne Heath Centre, Southampton
“This team have demonstrated our Solent HEART Values in great depth. Within three months of starting, they lost their manager and supervisor due to unforeseen events, and instead of sinking they swam with professionalism and grace, nurturing each other’s skills and abilities. They worked with many changes and challenges that were presented to them in quick succession, working honestly and openly with new management, being adaptable by having to cover more shifts and having to take on extra workloads all whilst still having to run a professional and friendly front of house service, always keeping a smile on their faces and never moaning.”
Reception team at St Mary’s Community Health Campus, Portsmouth
“The Estates reception team who work across the whole site deserve recognition for the support they provide to patients, colleagues, and other visitors to the site. They have excellent interpersonal skills, making all those who come to them for help and support feel at ease and comfortable for whatever the reason for their visit to site. You may be a member of staff visiting for training, you may be a patient who is experiencing anxiety due to a clinical procedure, expectant mothers who are attending the birthing centre.”
Locality Management Team at St Mary’s Community Health Campus, Portsmouth
“Solent Estates’ Portsmouth team are always on had to help with local DIY and keeping the service up to standards. Helpful when you have a query relating to an issue on your site, the helpful mannerism and friendly faces that you bump into a lot. They do a top job.”
Solent NHS Trust’s inaugural Support Colleagues Awards take place at the Solent Hotel, Whiteley, on Wednesday 26 April. Good luck to all our nominees!