A celebration of the best of health and adult social care in Bucks
An awards ceremony last week showcased the very best examples of how health and adult social care professionals go that extra mile when providing care to patients, service users and their carers across Buckinghamshire.
When all too often we hear shaming reports on the way people are treated by staff in the caring professions, these awards highlight the kindness and respect care professionals consistently give from day to day and the difference this makes to those they look after.
Aylesbury’s Waterside Theatre was the venue for the Buckinghamshire Dignity & Respect Awards, which took place on Friday 17 April. Now in its third year, the Awards are growing in popularity with over 40 nominations received from professionals and members of the public this year across the three categories of Community, Health, and Social Care. The audience voted for the overall winner in each category at the event itself.
The Awards are an initiative of Buckinghamshire County Council, and the Managing Director of the Council’s Communities, Health and Adult Social Care service Trevor Boyd said: “Hearing the testimonials given by ordinary members of the public is certainly an antidote to the negative coverage sometimes given to the caring professions. Although it’s always the duty of the NHS and the local authority to take appropriate measures to ensure that everyone in our care is kept safe from harm, it’s also vitally important to remember the general day-to-day professional dedication of our staff and all the good practice that sometimes goes unrecognised in our health and social care services.
“I’d like to commend everyone who contributed to the success of last Friday’s Dignity & Respect Awards, a memorable event that provided an excellent showcase and celebration of the outstanding work that goes on in Buckinghamshire’s Communities, Health and Adult Social Care services.”
The winners
Community category overall winner
The Princes Centre, Princes Risborough, nominated by independent care professional Pamela Rest.
Nomination video: www.youtube.com/watch?v=SDPJtajoj4M
Manager of the centre Kim Challinor said: “It’s a privilege to be part of a great community, and an honour for the Princes Centre to be recognised in the Bucks County Council’s dignity awards. This is, in my opinion, one of the most prestigious awards to win as it means so much”.
Health category overall winner
Salma Hussain, healthcare assistant at Wycombe Hospital, nominated by patient Roy Collis.
Nomination video: www.youtube.com/watch?v=vbibkAi1ypw
Salma recognises the importance of her award in raising awareness of good practice in healthcare: “Getting the award is such a big thing, not just for me but for all of us. It shows that the care out there is not always bad and it’s great to be recognised.”
Salma was convinced she wasn’t going to win when she saw she was up against consultants and GPs: “I love what I do and it’s wonderful that such small things can make such a big difference to someone else’s life.”
Roy Collis’s experience as a patient at Wycombe Hospital in August last year led him to nominate Salma: “Her positive and cheerful attitude certainly helped my recovery at a time when I was feeling very weak and vulnerable.”
Social care category overall winner
Amy Collins, care home worker, nominated by Trudi Scrivener, Managing Director of her employer Universal Care.
Nomination video: www.youtube.com/watch?v=kglMcMG5Ffs
Amy expressed her delight at winning: “I was so thrilled to receive the award, I love my job so much and this was the icing on the cake!”
Trudi said: “I was delighted that the Award went to our carer Amy: it is well deserved and it is absolutely clear that she makes a real difference to the lives of our clients. It’s so important that the good work that carers do is recognised and celebrated and the Dignity Award is just one way of making sure this happens.”