THE achievements and long service of Fenland health and social care workers have been celebrated at an awards ceremony. Cambridgeshire Community Services – responsible for providing a range of social care services – held its second staff excellence and in

THE achievements and long service of Fenland health and social care workers have been celebrated at an awards ceremony.

Cambridgeshire Community Services - responsible for providing a range of social care services - held its second staff excellence and innovation awards ceremony last week in Ely.

Awards were given for leadership, quality, innovation, working behind the scenes, going the extra mile and promoting dignity in care.

There was also an award for volunteer of the year, and long service awards for seven staff who have served a total of 165 years with CCS and its predecessor organisations.

Victor Lucas, chairman of CCS, said: "The awards recognise community health and social care staff, who are often the unsung heroes within the NHS and who make a real difference to people's lives.

"It is a great opportunity for us to celebrate our achievements, acknowledge the commitment and dedication for our staff."

LIST OF FENLAND WINNERS AND RUNNERS-UP

INVOLVEMENT OF SERVICE USER AND/OR CARER AWARD

Runner-up: The Early Support Co-ordinators: Horsefair Clinic Wisbech

The team organised a series of workshops for parents with disabled children. The workshops were designed by parents with disabled children and aim to help parents understand services and information available, how to work effectively with service providers, focus more on their child not the disability and see the importance of looking after themselves and the wider family.

LEADERSHIP AWARD

Runner-up: Dr Maria Ross-Russell, Community Dental Service, Ely and Wisbech

Maria was commended for merging and expanding services, her focus on enhancing the quality of experience for staff, seeking views from patients, embracing transformation leadership as well as encouraging input and ideas at all levels.

QUALITY AWARD

Winner: X-ray teams at the Princess of Wales (Ely) and Doddington Hospitals

The two teams have undergone major change in the last 12 months, moving from developing films in a traditional way to a computerised system. Throughout these changes an excellent service has been maintained for patients. Patients now wait less time for X-rays and clinicians can view the image on a PC in their clinic, often before the patient has returned from having their X-ray.

INNOVATION AWARD

Winner: The Community Dental Team, Ely and Wisbech

The team worked with the business development team and Software of Excellence (a dental software company) to develop bespoke software which produces accurate 18-week waiting reports for Department of Health reporting. The entire team developed the software which was piloted in the Cambridge and Ely clinics before being successfully rolled out to all clinics.

Runner-up: The Wisbech District Nursing Team

The team was nominated for implementing caseload management across four GP practices following productivity improvement plan work and based on LEAN principles.

BEHIND THE SCENES AWARD

Runners-up: Nicola Whilton, Senior Human Resources Manager supporting East Cambs and Fenland's Children's Universal Services

Nicola, Business Manager for Children's Universal Services "has played a key role in service successes, demonstrating friendliness, professionalism, supportiveness and accessibility. Managers and the service as a whole are in a better place because of Nicola's outstanding contribution".

VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR AWARD

Winner: The Doddington Hospital Volunteers

Comprises the co-ordinating committee for the hospital shop and the March, Manea and Benwick branches of the Hospital Friends. The volunteers worked tirelessly through the year to fundraise individually and collectively to purchase items that benefit patients and visitors. In addition, a large group of volunteers enable the Doddington Hospital shop to open five days a week on a rota basis. All volunteers take great pride in the hospital and the service it provides.

PROMOTING DIGNITY IN CARE AWARD

Winners: The Community Access Team for East Cambs and Fenland, and The Wisbech District Nursing Team

The Community Access Team for East Cambs and Fenland was commended for its work in unplanned care in that "in every discussion involves the user perspective and a kind, caring, professional attitude - where there is empathy and respect with honesty in action".

The Wisbech District Nursing Team was identified as providing an excellent service with a focus on spending as much time as possible with patients as demonstrated through the productivity improvement plan analysis.

Runners-up: Katrina Dix and Dr Rhian Simpson

Nominated for their work towards improving dignity in end-of-life care, Katrina and Rhian embraced the end-of-life care strategy and piloted the preferred priorities of care document in care homes; working with home managers and staff to increase discussions with patients in this often difficult area.

LONG-SERVING STAFF WHO RECEIVED AWARDS

30 years

• Wendy Too - Enrolled Nurse, North Cambs Hospital, Wisbech

25 years

• Elizabeth Baker - Senior Physiotherapist, North Cambs Hospital, Wisbech

• Linda Barnes - District Nursing Sister, March/Manea

• Margaret Merrison - Nursing Auxiliary, North Cambs Hospital, Wisbech

20 years

• Doreen Elkin - Care Manager, Hereward Hall, March

• Elizabeth Hunt - Speech & Language Therapist, East Cambs & Fenland

• Sue Langley - Care Assistant, Parson Drove Day Centre

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2404SM49 Community Access team with Victor Lucas

2406SM49 Doddington Hospital volunteers with Victor Lucas

2407SM49 Doddington Hospital volunteers with Victor Lucas (left) and Matthew Winn

2409SM49 Elizabeth Baker and Victor Lucas

2413SM49 Margaret Merrison and Victor Lucas

2418SM49 Wisbech district nursing team with Victor Lucas

2419SM49 X-ray team Princess of Wales, Ely, and Doddington with Victor Lucas

2420SM49 X-ray team from Ely and Doddington with Victor Lucas and Matthew Winn