Guernsey Press

Awards recognise health care assistants

THE backbone of the medical system was recognised on Health Care Worker Day at Guernsey’s very first awards for the sector.

Published
Picture by Sophie Rabey. 16-10-19. Healthcare Worker Day for the Committee for Health & Social Care. Awards ceremony has taken place to celebrate the work of all healthcare assistants and unregistered staff throughout HSC. (26084420)

Attracting 92 nominations and more than 600 votes, the ceremony ‘is a true testament to the feelings of gratitude to health care assistants and unregistered staff’.

Pioneered by Hannah Belcher, practice lead for acute unregistered staff, the awards were many hours of preparation in the making and she said it was a massive relief that the event had been so well-supported.

‘I really hoped people would take to this event – I was worried people wouldn’t vote, or wouldn’t turn up, but seeing the votes come in – totalling 652 – and then everyone here today, it is such a relief it has all come together.’

The awards were split between six categories and a further award was given for outstanding achievement, unbeknown to those in attendance.

The winner of the outstanding achievement award was ‘stalwart of the critical care team’ Maria Martel.

She said: ‘[It is] overwhelming, I never expected this at all. It is nice to be appreciated – I have been in the critical care team for 13 years and long may I continue. Everything and everyone works as a tight team.’

Winner of the staff welfare award was Lorraine Cavanagh, who has worked for more than 20 years on Brock Ward.

Best newcomer to the sector went to Rosa Teixeira.

The service innovation award went to Jo Ingrouille for her hand in setting up the role of the midwifery support worker in the community.

Team player award went to Claire Burns, who has worked on Carey Ward for many years. It is said that if something needs doing on Carey, then Ms Burns has it covered.

The mentor award was given to Karen Burnard.

One physiologist who works with Ms Burnard said: ‘Karen has been an unbelievable support. I continue to learn from her daily both clinically and in her support for patients.’

Unable to be separated by judges were the eventual joint winners of the educator award, Sandra Bourgaize and Lorraine Rhodes, who have both been ‘instrumental’ in almost ‘single-handedly delivering’ training and support to the whole organisation.

Chief Nurse Professor Juliet Beal said: ‘I think our health care assistants do an amazing job and it is really important to recognise them for the work they do.

‘Also our thanks to go to Hannah, who has done a wonderful job in organising these awards.’

The awards are now hoped to be a date on the calendar every year and work now begins for the next ceremony.