THE achievements and long service of East Cambridgeshire 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 excel

THE achievements and long service of East Cambridgeshire 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 three staff who have served a total of 50 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 WINNERS AND RUNNERS-UP FROM EAST CAMBRIDGESHIRE

INVOLVEMENT OF SERVICE USER AND/OR CARER AWARD

Winner: The Oliver Zangwill Centre Clinical Team, Ely

The team developed a user group of past clients to meet and discuss all aspects of the service. The feedback has informed a number of service developments including creation of a 'top-up week' for past clients to enable them to refresh their memories of things they had learned five or more years ago. The Team's sustainable approach to involving clients was a key factor in the service being awarded a major research fund of �250,000 to undertake a study of one of the treatments offered by the Centre.

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.

Runner-up: Donna Malley, Occupational Therapy Clinical Specialist, Oliver Zangwill Centre, Ely

Donna took forward the work she did for a Masters and wrote a booklet on Managing Fatigue After Brain Injury that was published nationally by the charity Headway. Compiling this booklet involved gathering clinical evidence first hand as well as undertaking research on effectiveness and will result in an impact on service delivery nationally.

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.

BEHIND THE SCENES AWARD

Runners-up: Diane Allen, Administration Assistant, Assistive/Telecare Technology Team, Littleport; and Nicola Whilton, Senior Human Resources Manager supporting East Cambs and Fenland's Children's Universal Services

Diane was nominated because she took control of all admin duties throughout the county during periods of long term sick leave within the team and "without Diane's dedication, hard work and big heart this service would have struggled".

Nicola "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".

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".

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

20 years

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

15 years

• Paul Bradshaw - Podiatrist, Princess of Wales Hospital, Ely

• Susan Mozejko - Medical Secretary, Princess of Wales Hospital, Ely

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2404SM49 Community Access team with Victor Lucas

2416SM49 Paul Bradshaw and Victor Lucas

2417SM49 Susan Mozejko and Victor Lucas

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

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