St James’s Hospital marks 50 years of patient service with Staff Recognition Awards

St James’s Hospital has been serving the public at both at a local and national level for the past 50 years. To mark this year’s celebrations, CEO, Mary Day launched the St James’s Hospital Staff Recognition Awards to highlight staff’s dedication to patient care and high level of collaboration between colleagues to encourage excellence in the delivery of services.

Seven different teams and individuals across both clinical and non-clinical areas were awarded an award. Each nomination was reviewed by the selection committee who oversaw the awarding process. Charlotte Stuart, Magnet4Europe Coordinator, acknowledged that “If there were more categories, there would have been plenty more winners” as there was over 600 nominations made this year.

The Patients’ Choice Award invited patients and service users, past and present, to nominate staff members who made a difference to their experience in the hospital. This category received over 220 nominations and was awarded to Maria Kane, Person-centred Care Manager.

Team of the Year was awarded to the Edward Bennett Ward MDT, recognising the team’s ability to implemented a process and reach a significant goal over the past year.

Both Bridget Dwyer, Staff Nurse, ICU and Michelle O’Donnell, Clinical Specialist OT were individually awarded the Service Excellence award. The selection committee noted that both continue to strive for excellence in the delivery of their service and consistently inspire their colleagues to do likewise.

Ronnie Weston, Site Contract Manager was awarded the outstanding contribution award. Recognising his influence and his significant contribution to making a visible difference within St James’s Hospital.

Finally, the Virology Laboratory MDT was awarded the CEO Award and Dr Brian O’Connell was awarded the CEO Outstanding Contribution award. Both recipients were recognised by CEO, Mary Day for providing an outstanding contribution by leading and developing projects.

Speaking at the awards ceremony, Chief Executive Officer of St James’s Hospital, Mary Day, said,” St James’s Hospital has been serving the local community for the last 50 years, and in the year of this anniversary, we’re delighted to give members of the public the opportunity to highlight how staff from all disciplines and departments across the hospital have enhanced their patient experience. Coming from the patient this will mean so much to staff as it is the patient who is at the centre of all we do here in the hospital.”

Peter Hartnett, from the hospital’s Patient Representative Group said, “The past 18 months have been a stressful and worrying time for patients and the staff who care for them. As patients and members of the Patient Representative Group, the Patients’ Choice Award now gives patients and their loved ones the opportunity to take part in recognising and celebrating the staff who are with us every step of the way on our patient journey.”

The award ceremony took place 16 December and was streamed online.