Honours handed out to Hospital Heroes

JOHN Radcliffe Hospital’s Psychological Medicine Team walked away with the gold award in the Team of the Year category.

The team of psychiatrists and psychologists work across all OUH hospitals, caring for the mental health needs of patients.

Trust lead for psychological medicine Prof Michael Sharpe, who nominated the team, said it deserved recognition after transforming the care of patients over the past year.

The 60-year-old from Headington said: “When a doctor or nurse anywhere in the trust has a problem with the psychological care of a patient, they get there very rapidly and will effectively address the problem and often stay late to do that. They will go to great lengths to be there.”

The Psychological Medicine Team, which launched in March 2013, works alongside the other medics within the trust to combine psychiatric and physical care.

Its team members attend medical rounds on wards and conduct joint consultations with physicians.

Prof Sharpe said patients are often treated off hospital grounds for their mental health needs.

Consultant psychiatrist Dr Bart Sheehan added that the team get between 30 and 50 referrals each week.

He said: “It’s great news and it helps us to feel we are doing the right thing.

“We want to make the OUH the leading trust in the country for psychological care of patients.

“It makes the OUH much more of a one-stop shop for a person’s health needs.”

TEAM OF THE YEAR - SILVER

THE Churchill Hospital’s Vascular Access and Line Team was awarded the silver prize in the team category.

• Eileen Walsh, right, executive director, Assurance, presenting the silver Team of the Year award to members of the Vascular Access and Line Team at the Churchill Hospital              Picture: Cliff Hide

It prepares patients suffering with kidney failure for haemodialysis to remove waste products and extra fluid which has built up in their blood.

The seven-strong team was nominated by renal unit matron Allie Thornley for the support it has provided to its 450 patients who require the treatment three times a week.

She said: “They are truly a fantastic example of a proactive, innovative well integrated team providing first-class service to their patients.”

TEAM OF THE YEAR - BRONZE

THE bronze award was handed to the Paediatric Radiologist Team based at the John Radcliffe Hospital’s Children’s Hospital.

Its five medical staff were praised for supporting paediatric teams across the trust, as well as their welcoming and respectful attitude towards all.

• Eileen Walsh, second right, executive director, Assurance, presenting the bronze Team of the Year award to members of Paediatric Radiology Team at the John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford   Picture: Cliff Hide

Nominator Mary Rogers said: “The team embodies all the trust values and behaviours. They respect everyone who visits the department.

“At all times they aspire to deliver an individual, compassionate and respectful service to patients and their families, many of whom have long distances to travel or several appointments.

“This is truly a team which enjoys working together and takes pride in their work and their service.”

VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR – GOLD

FOR grandfather-of-five Douglas Howell, no task is too much trouble.

The Littlemore resident was awarded the gold prize in the Volunteer of the Year category

after five years of supporting hospital patients and his fellow volunteers.

He volunteers at the John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford, three times a week, which includes acting as a hospital guide ensuring patients get to their appointments on time.

• Douglas Howell  Picture: OX71561 Lucy Ford

And OUH voluntary services manager Yvonne Blencowe said the father-of-two has transformed the lives of patients who have no family and friends nearby after taking the time to visit them on the wards.

She said: “Hospitals can be very lonely places without familiar faces around you and he will visit the patient on a regular basis until they are well enough to go home.

“Douglas is so helpful and there is nothing he wouldn’t do. He is just a really kind, caring, considerate person – he is quite a character.

“We would find our days a lot duller without Douglas.”

But Mr Howell said he does not think he is doing anything out of the ordinary.

He said: “I’m only doing what I enjoy – to me it’s very rewarding.”

VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR – SILVER

OFFICE volunteer Edward Minte was handed the silver award after devoting his Wednesdays to supporting the John Radcliffe Hospital.

Each week since March 2007 he has helped with admin and clerical tasks, including sending out Christmas and birthday cards,

• Mark Power, left, director of organisational development and workforce at Oxford University Hospitals NHS Trust, presenting the silver Volunteer of the Year award to Edward Minte         Picture: Cliff Hide

He was praised by OUH voluntary services manager Yvonne Blencowe, who said the team always look forward to his time in the voluntary services office.

She added: “Edward has been a ‘customer’ of three of the four hospitals within the trust, so he always says that his volunteering is his way of acknowledging the kindness and treatment he has received over the years and giving something back to the NHS.

“He is such an asset to have in the office. He comes in all weathers, he travels in from Woodstock. He is just an absolute gem.”

VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR – BRONZE

LEAGUE of Friends volunteer Jill Howlett won the bronze award after years of dedicated support at Oxford’s John Radcliffe Hospital.

Manager David Simpson said she has been the “backbone” of the organisation since joining in 2000.
He nominated her for the Volunteer of the Year award.

He added: “Jill makes a big impact in everything she does for the league, going way beyond anything you would expect of a volunteer. Jill could always be relied upon to lend her support to any activity, sometimes working a full day and often calling in at a moment’s notice.

“Having such a friendly and happy nature, she has made many friends and we are all very proud to know her.”

The League of Friends raises money for hospital equipment through sales in its 
on-site cafe and vending services.

OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT – GOLD

CONSULTANT ophthalmic surgeon Susan Downes was recognised for her work transforming the lives of patients suffering genetic eye conditions.

She was awarded the gold prize for her outstanding research into inherited retinal disease, which is the most common cause of blindness in England and Wales.

Miss Downes, based at the John Radcliffe Hospital’s Eye Hospital, was nominated by clinical research manager Alexina Fantato after working together for the past 14 years.

• Susan Downes with a patient        Picture: OX71582 Jon Lewis

Mrs Fantato said Miss Downes has dedicated her life to offer new treatments and services for NHS patients with sight-threatening conditions.

She added: “She has worked tirelessly to ensure all patients with inherited retinal disease in the Thames Valley and beyond have access to specialist ophthalmic care.

“It’s thanks to her that we have one of the best ophthalmic research units in the UK.

“As a leader, Miss Downes is inspiring and motivational. She supports the team and always has time to encourage those who work with her.”

Mrs Fantato said patients are now offered genetic testing for the condition on the NHS, thanks to Miss Downes’ work.

Miss Downes said: “It means so much to me that someone I think so highly of had nominated me.

“I think it is a reflection of a whole team effort, not just me.”

OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT – SILVER

CANCER care nurse Pamela Roberts was given the silver award after providing years of support to patients.

The myeloma clinical nurse specialist at the Churchill Hospital in Oxford has worked for the trust for more than 20 years and was nominated by Kirsty Croizer on behalf of the haematology registrars.

• Sir Jonathan Michael, chief executive of Oxford University Hospitals NHS Trust, presenting the silver Outstanding Achievement award to Pamela Roberts    Picture: Cliff Hide

She said: “Pamela has been a constant friend to the many patients who have come under her care in the past decade.

“Her calm, compassionate, patient-centred approach is delivered with exceptional collaboration with other health care professionals.

“Pamela’s ability to balance competing priorities is remarkable. She provides exemplary attention to individual patients and their families.”

OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT – BRONZE

PHARMACY clinical services manager Jane Hough was awarded the bronze award after almost 20 years of working with the trust.

She was praised for her work with the South Central Chief Pharmacists Group to try to reduce waste associated with medicine use.

• Sir Jonathan Michael presenting the bronze Outstanding Achievement award to Jane Hough
  Picture: Cliff Hide

This included the Green Bag scheme which encouraged patients to bring their medicines into hospital to prevent delayed or omitted doses while in hospital.

And nominators Judith Bailey and Emma Pullen said Ms Hough, who is based at the John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford, deserved recognition before her retirement in February next year.

They said: “Her enthusiasm for improving patient experience and making things safer sets a real example.

“Jane is a cornerstone of the pharmacy department and a respected colleague to many across the Trust and the NHS more widely.”

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