ECCH Staff Awards 2019

A team of nurses and therapists who care for patients in their own homes during the night were recognised for their dedication to the job at East Coast Community Healthcare’s (ECCH) annual staff awards ceremony.

The Primary Care Network Night Service were named Clinical Team of the Year at the event at The Victoria hotel in Lowestoft. It was one of nine awards presented to pay tribute to staff of the social enterprise which provides NHS community health services across Norfolk and Waveney.

The Night Service is a multi-disciplinary team that responds to unplanned incidents and works with GPs and colleagues from acute hospitals and social care to ensure that patients receive care from the most appropriate person for their particular condition.

ECCH chief executive Jonathan Williams said: “Working overnight brings its own challenges. Stressful situations are magnified for patients and their loved ones. This team is adept at reassuring and supporting them, and delivering an outstanding service I’m very proud of the ‘can do’ attitude that they, and indeed all our staff, show on a daily basis.”

A healthcare assistant whose quick thinking came to the rescue of a patient who had fallen and was unable to move was awarded the Unsung Hero award. Lisa Jones, who works for the Waveney Primary Care Network called the police and ambulance service when there was no answer at a property she was visiting. The door had to be broken down to gain access and the patient was found on the floor where they had been for some time. Lisa’s award also recognised the support she gives to her fellow colleagues on a daily basis, her positive attitude and sense of humour.

The Innovation Award was given to Laura Marjoram, Anuja Venugopal Nair, Liz Toole and Kate Eastwood from ECCH’s Musculoskeletal (MSK) Physiotherapy Service. In January they volunteered to trial a new national pain treatment programme to see if it would benefit local patients. The programme supports and empowers patients to manage their symptoms, be more active and understand more about their condition and what they can do to manage it long term. They also go on to provide peer support for each other after completing the course. So far around 50 people have taken part in the programme with very positive results, and the team is planning to expand it.

The Making a Difference Award was won by Tuberculosis Nurse Victoria Chadwick who works with patients who are often in vulnerable situations including homeless people and those from migrant communities. She visits them to ensure they have the opportunity to maintain their treatment, as a break in the medication routine could prove fatal.

The award for Inspirational Leader was presented to Specialist Occupational Therapist, Frailty Service Team Leader and Early Intervention Vehicle Therapy Lead Jessica Lorraine. Children’s Speech and Language Therapist Jessica Marler won the award for Delivering Exceptional Care.

ECCH’s Equipment and Medical Devices Team were named Non-Clinical Team of the Year. They support the organisation’s clinicians by issuing and returning equipment, calibrating medical devices and auditing care homes.

Meichelle Anns and Simon Friston were each awarded the title of ECCH Champion – which recognises staff whose commitment and professionalism make them ambassadors for the organisation.

The Chairman’s Award was won by Rebecca Blackstone, Jordan Weavers and Kat McGill from the Transformation Team. They were responsible for project managing the launch of ECCH’s new Adult Services contract in April, which saw the introduction of integrated teams in the four Primary Care Networks of Great Yarmouth, Gorleston, Lowestoft and Waveney.

ECCH Chair Tony Osmanski said: “Taking the adult services procurement from concept to reality was an enormous task - and this team worked tirelessly for the benefit of all our staff and patients to ensure the smooth transition from the old model of care to our new, more ‘joined up’ model. It’s wonderful to be able to hold an event that recognises their achievement and, equally importantly, celebrate the efforts that all our staff make every day, whether they’re in clinical posts or office based roles, to provide our communities with the excellent care they deserve.”

All the finalists had been nominated by their colleagues and shortlisted by ECCH’s Shareholder Council which represents the 84% of staff who have opted to have a share in the organisation and, therefore, a say in how it is run.

The event was sponsored by Birketts, Ontex, Ross Care, Capsticks and Pulse UK.