Patient care is at the heart of everything we do at Blackpool Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and we are always delighted when people go out of their way to say thank you.
In a time of pressure and high demands on the NHS, patient feedback is so important, and when comments are positive it can really help lift staff morale.
Health Care Assistant, Wendy Grennell, was delighted when a patient praised her work in a recent Friends and Family Test.
Talking about the boost the comments gave her, Wendy said: “I really feel I have achieved something, it makes me so happy and proud.
“Patient praise makes the job so worthwhile. I feel privileged to do the job of taking care of patients, it’s a job I love. If I can give the patients pride and dignity then I have succeeded in my task.
“I was astonished that someone would take the time to say such nice things about me. It has given me a real boost that will last for a long, long time. “
Outstanding NHS employees are honoured annually at the Trust’s Celebrating Success Awards ceremony – and we are asking patients, carers, relatives and members of the public to nominated staff who have gone above and beyond the call of duty to care for patients and their families.
The highly coveted Patients Award category attracted more than 100 nominations last year for teams and individuals working for the Trust. All nominated staff members get a certificate to acknowledge the work they do and the winning contender gets a cash prize to reinvest in their area of the Trust. The category is sponsored by legal firm Weightmans.
Wendy’s Ward Manager Phil Helm said: “Patient praise is so important to staff at the hospital. If we have touched the lives of a patient in some positive way, that is the ultimate of what we are working towards.
“Wendy has been with this hospital for more than 22 years. She really goes that extra mile and nothing is too much trouble to help patients. She even goes so far as to buy bubble bath and shower gel to ensure the patients can enjoy their bath time and have the best possible experience.
“It’s the little things that make so much difference. She genuinely cares and that shows in everything she does. She’s a real asset to the team on Ward 18.”
If you would like to nominate a member of Blackpool Teaching Hospitals staff from either the community or acute hospital who gave you, or someone in your family, an exceptional level of care – we’d love to hear from you.
You can nominate by contacting the Communications Office at Blackpool Teaching Hospitals on 01253 953059 or by writing to Communications Office, Home 15, Whinney Heys Road, Blackpool FY3 8NR and requesting a nomination form.
Alternatively forms can be filled in online by visiting the Trust’s website at https://www.bfwh.nhs.uk/about-our-trust/celebrating-success-awards/
Nominations for the 2017 award close on Wednesday, June 21. The judging panel will meet on Wednesday, July 19.