Congratulations to Andrew Saunders who has been awarded a national Chief Nursing Officer Award for his outstanding commitment as a Legacy Mentor for Healthcare Support Workers (HCSW).

The award recognises the vital contribution of healthcare support workers who consistently demonstrate the values of the NHS in supporting their fellow colleagues to deliver the highest possible patient care.

With a background working in the military, Andrew joined Norfolk and Waveney ICS as a Legacy Mentor HCSW following a short time employed as a HCSW Reservist during the COVID pandemic.

He was placed with ECCH in January 2023 and works weekly on Minsmere Ward at Beccles Hospital, assisting patients whilst having a focus on staff wellbeing. He holds regular discussion groups with the HCSW team, as well as offering 1:1 peer support. Dedicated to improving support for HCSWs at ECCH and beyond, Andrew is actively engaged in developing a support programme for HCSW staff across the region, all whilst working towards his Masters in Osteopathy.

Andrew was presented with the award and a special lapel pin by Catherine Morgan, Chief Nurse for the East of England Region, on behalf of Dame Ruth May, Chief Nursing Officer for England.

Louise Jackson, the ICS Clinical Educator who nominated Andrew, said “Andrew is kind, caring and keen to improve HCSWs’ status within the workplace as well as their sense of pride, and sees excellent quality care as a number one priority for patients. He feels strongly that staff should not be recognised by their grades but by the quality of care they provide. Andrew is available to chat to all staff on a one-to-one basis within the unit, as well as demonstrating great team working and liaising with managers to give his valid and insightful thoughts on service improvement.”

As well as working closely with staff at ECCH, Andrew has formed a quality forum for HCSW leads within acute, community and social care areas, bringing ICS staff with similar retention and training concerns together to discuss their achievements and enabling staff to learn from each other on a quarterly basis.

Andrew said, “I’ve really cherished working on the ward. It’s been really good fun - it’s very different to what I was doing in the army and I’ve never done anything like it before in the NHS. It’s been great getting to know Lisa Coleman and all the team, because healthcare workers are “un-championed” generally. It’s tough - they spend so much time with patients and can use so much clinical feedback; I feel this award is partly theirs too. I’ve also enjoyed the wider part of the ICB and getting a team together from all the acute trusts and ECCH, as it’s interesting to swap ideas.”