Voting Opens as Our Health Heroes Shortlist is Announced
A maternity support worker and a discharge coordinator from the South West region, who are among the finalists in the 2019 Our Health Heroes awards, are hoping the public will get behind them as the vote to decide the national winners goes live!
From today (5th September) until Friday 11th October, people can vote for healthcare workers who they think have gone above and beyond the call of duty via the Skills for Health website www.skillsforhealth.org.uk/ohh-2019.
Organised by Skills for Health and headline sponsor Health Education England, Our Health Heroes has been celebrating unsung healthcare heroes from across the UK since 2016.
The awards, which were open to nominations from members of the public for the first time this year, will celebrate healthcare professionals in the following categories during a ceremony in November at London’s Science Museum:
- Outstanding Contribution
- Clinical Support Worker of the Year
- Operational Services Support Worker of the Year
- Apprentice of the Year
- Staff Wellbeing Employer of the Year
- Workforce Planning Team of the Year
- Integrated Team of the Year
- Learning and Development Project/Team of the Year
Of the 880 nominations that the judges received, just 34 have made the shortlist eight of them will go on to be presented with the overall national awards for 2019.
Nicky Mahon and Charlotte Rushton are among the 12 regional finalists in each of the Clinical Support Worker of the Year and Operational Services Support Worker of the Year categories, representing the South West.
Nicky has been recognised for her role as a Maternity Support Worker at Royal Bournemouth and Christchurch Hospital specialising in the promotion of breast feeding.
Nicky has been a Maternity Support Worker for 19 years at the hospital and offers a level of dedication to the service and women that she cares for that her colleagues call inspiring.
Her calm, kind and professional nature has attracted an endless list of positive feedback from women and their families who commented that Nicky is “beyond supportive”, “dedicated”, “caring” and “calm”.
Meanwhile, Charlotte has been nominated for her role as Discharge Co-ordinator at Northern Devon Healthcare Trust. Joining the team at 19, Charlotte has progressed from her role in the Medical Records Department to Discharge Co-ordinator.
Charlotte takes care of two wards that care for orthopedic and trauma patients and assists with supporting discharge planning. She has excellent communication skills that are essential for this role, although it is her rapport with patients that has been called “outstanding” by colleagues.
Her compassion and care for patients often means she works outside of her hours. She puts patients and their families at ease with her calming and informative nature, exercising the trust’s values.
John Rogers, Chief Executive at Skills for Health, said: “For the fourth year in a row these awards have struck a chord and it’s been amazing to read through the nomination forms; there are some truly incredible people working within our healthcare sector who deserve to be recognised for their achievements and dedication.
“I’m delighted that Nicky and Charlotte have been shortlisted in their individual categories. It will be up to the public to decide whether they take home the national award, but all of our finalists are already worthy winners.”
The 34 finalists and team category winners have been invited to the Our Health Heroes Awards ceremony, where the 24 regional and eight national winners will be presented with their awards, on Wednesday 20th November 2019 at London’s Science Museum.
Members of the public will be able to vote once in each category. Visit the Skills for Health website to see information on all the finalists and how to vote.
Notes for editors:
Notes to editors
About Skills for Health
Skills for Health is a not-for-profit organisation committed to the development of an improved and sustainable healthcare workforce across the UK. Established in 2002 as the Sector Skills Council for Health for the UK health sector, it is the authoritative voice on workforce skills issues and offers proven solutions and tools, with the expertise and experience to use them effectively. To find out more visit www.skillsforhealth.org.uk
About Health Education England
Health Education England (HEE) exists to support the delivery of excellent healthcare and health improvement to the patients and public of England by ensuring that the workforce of today and tomorrow has the right numbers, skills, values and behaviours, at the right time and in the right place.
About UNISON
UNISON is one of the UK’s largest trade unions, serving more than 1.3 million members who work in a range of public services and utilities. UNISON’s 12 regions are Eastern, East Midlands, Greater London, Northern, Northern Ireland, North West, Scotland, South East, South West, Wales, West Midlands and Yorkshire and the Humber. The union’s One Team campaign has been launched to ensure everyone in the NHS is valued, whatever their role. For more information, visit unison.org.uk
About NHS Employers
NHS Employers is the employers’ organisation for the NHS in England. We support NHS workforce leaders through our practical tools and resources, through our expert advice and guidance, and by listening to employers to ensure their voice is represented in health policy and practice.
About Kissing it Better
Kissing it Better is on a mission to end the isolation of old age by bringing the generations together. The charity’s imaginative healthcare projects make an immediate and lasting difference to the lives of frail older people across the country – they also give young people a unique and enriching experience. To find out more visit www.kissingitbetter.co.uk
About Locum’s Nest
Locum’s Nest is the mobile-first platform connecting doctors to temporary work in healthcare organisations, whilst helping hospital staff managers cut out the inefficient, ineffective and expensive agency middleman. To find out more visit www.locumsnest.co.uk
