Staff nominate Individuals, Teams and Volunteers to be WAHT Stars and these are considered by a panel of staff to produce monthly winners. The nominees since October last year all went forward to the WAHT Stars of the Year finals and the winners were:
Individual of the Year – Housekeeper Sharon Hornett
Her nomination said: “Sharon is a highly valued member of the Intensive care Unit Team who is committed to ensuring that our critically-ill patients are cared for in a clean and safe environment. She is meticulous in her duties which has helped to ensure that we have the lowest infection rates in the South West.”
Team of the Year – Physiotherapy and Cardiology Admin
Their nomination said: “Nothing is too much for this team and they get on with their very demanding roles with a smile. They all provide excellent ideas on how to improve things and really take pride in providing efficient services. Their efficiency, professionalism and humour are really highly regarded by all of us.”
Volunteer of the Year – Yvonne Harris
Her nomination said: “Yvonne started as a volunteer in October 1992, which amounts to 19 years of dedicated service to the Trust. She genuinely cares about people and is willing to go the extra mile to ensure patients, visitors and staff are supported. She displays tact, communication skills, compassion, knowledge and humour and is truly worthy of this award.”
The Waht Stars of the Year prizes were a certificate and shopping vouchers.
Mr Penrose also presented long-service awards to members of the Trust’s staff who had each completed 20 years service. Those present were: Sue Hicks, Dr Tricia Woodhead, Jeanette Bidwell, Amanda Williams, Rosanne Dicks, Susan Sims and Alison Hatton.
Chairman Chris Creswick told the meeting about the Trust’s achievements in 2010/11 under the headings of Patient Safety, Performance and Developments.
Patient safety had been and remained the Board’s absolute priority. It was highly encouraging to note that the Trust had one of the lowest hospital-acquired infection rates in the region, with only one case of MRSA in the whole year and the lowest incidence of C.diff in the South West.
He reminded the audience that the Trust had recently been declared fully compliant with the Care Quality Commission’s standards and been in the independent analyst CHKS’s 40 Top Hospitals for the seventh consecutive year.
On performance, he said the Trust had met all its commitments to meet national standards for access to treatment and had had no breaches of the NHS rules regarding single sex accommodation in the year – part of the Board’s ongoing commitment to Dignity in Care.
And under developments, he cited the opening of the £8.6 million Urgent Care Centre in April and the purchase of the Digital Breast Scanner, following the successful community-wide Diamond Appeal, in June.
Looking ahead, Mr Creswick said: “Change is a way of life in the NHS and while our professional colleagues continue to offer their commitment and skills and to adhere to NHS values and principles, I believe we can ensure that the changes coming over the next three years will be of benefit to patients and prospective patients.”
He said the Trust was currently looking at its forward strategy, particularly in challenging economic times. He concluded with his belief that Weston is in good shape to go forward into 2012.
For further information, please contact Caroline Welch on 01934 647091