This week saw colleagues from across Blackpool Teaching Hospitals celebrate the role of nursing and maternity support workers.
First, on Wednesday, 24 November was the third Nursing Support Worker celebration day, followed on Thursday by a day celebrating Maternity Support Workers.
Both events – coordinated by the Royal College of Nursing and Royal College of Midwives – offered a chance to highlight and recognise the vital contribution that the support workforce makes to nursing and midwifery teams and to patient care.
These essential teams work across all settings from clinical to community with children and adults in all aspects of physical and mental health.
Vanessa Wilson HCA
Vanessa Wilson is a Healthcare Assistant (HCA) in the Frailty Assessment Area (FAA) at Blackpool Victoria Hospital.
She was personally chosen for a role in the FAA a year ago when Matron Maria Jennings recruited for this key team which supports frail older patients within the Trust.
Vanessa, who is also training as a Dementia Champion, said: “I’m passionate about what I do and I love looking after patients. Obviously a lot of patients here are on their own and I wear my heart on my sleeve. I take the time to talk to people and enjoy getting to know them.
“From admission to discharge here can be quite quick and it’s all about the patients’ safety, their wellbeing, the support and being friendly.”
Colleague Sarah Wilkinson had nothing but praise for Vanessa and added: “The new unit needed someone who is experienced and Vanessa treats every patient as if they are her own, giving them individual attention.”
Jed Walton-Pollard, Deputy Director of Nursing and Quality at Blackpool Teaching Hospitals, said: “It’s great that we can celebrate the work of our outstanding nursing and maternity support workers across the Trust. Our support worker colleagues are vital members of the team who work across all our settings to make a real difference to people’s lives.
“I’d like to thank everyone for all that they do and also to urge people looking for a career in healthcare to consider these rewarding and exciting roles which have so much potential.”
To learn more about Nursing Support Workers, visit a special page on the website of the Royal College of Midwives website here.
Find out more about the work of a nursing support worker by watching this video produced by the Royal College of Nursing.