Patient's Choice Award 2023: the shortlist
With more than 170 nominations for our Patient's Choice award this year, our Awards Panel faced some tough decisions about who to shortlist.
We'd like to thank everyone who took the time to nominate someone this year. Although some people may be disappointed that their nominee was not shortlisted, we do everything we can to ensure a fair process. This year, these are the nominations that resonated most strongly with the panel, which incudes our Executive Team, our Lead Governor and our five Staff Governors, all of whom made their votes separately.
The shortlisted candidates are:
The Maternity Team
With 77 nominations from grateful families that spanned the entire range of maternity services, the awards panel took the unusual decision to shortlist them as a team. As well as individual midwives and teams across every community midwifery and hospital location, the nominations also spanned maternity care assistants, doctors, consultants and anaesthetists.
Caring, empowering, kind, supportive, compassionate and reassuring were just some of the words used to describe the members of the maternity team, with one person summing up the sentiments of many when they said: “The whole team were so supportive, from the first appointment to my ultrasound scans, to the day unit, triage, delivery suite and the maternity ward. Everyone we met was amazing. I couldn’t fault them.”
"Nothing was too much to ask. She made my experience in hospital with my newborn absolutely magical and I will never forget her."
Frailty Ward Team
In medical terms, frailty describes older and more vulnerable patients who have complex conditions that limit their ability to recover after an illness. The Frailty Unit at Gloucestershire Royal Hospital received several nominations from patients and their families for its personalised care.
One nomination said: “After my mum was admitted following a fall, she took the decision to withdraw all treatment. The whole team were amazing, with a special mention for Staff nurse Elizabeth and HCA Sue. Nothing was too much trouble, they took the time to keep Mum comfortable, including regular turning, oral hygiene, brushing her hair and even putting cream on her hands and feet, which Mum really appreciated.
”As a retired Nurse and Midwife, it was wonderful to see basic nursing care provided in such an impeccable manner. A room was made available for my very large family and nearer the end, she was moved into a side ward to allow all of us to be with her for her final hours… Mum was allowed to die in comfort and most of all, dignity.”
"They were all very supportive, respectful and caring, all going above and beyond their job roles to help my nan. We will always remember and be thankful for what they did for us all as a family."
Asma Pandor, Admiral Nurse
Admiral Nurses are dementia care specialists and in this role, Asma has certainly made a lasting impact on the lives of patients with dementia and their families.
One nomination summed up the sentiments of many that she received: “Each time I contact Asma, she instantly manages everything so efficiently. If I cannot visit, she will spend time with my husband, supporting him with meals and personal care, she even offers up time at the weekend for me. She is available to talk through any concerns, whether that be evenings or weekends, and is always smiling. Dementia is the worst disease, and I simply do not know how I would have managed every admission without Asma by my side.
“I have spoken to so many other people and we all agree that Asma is our lifeline. She works so hard and all the staff on the wards have so much respect for her too. My husband also loves Asma’s visits because they sing and dance together. She was the first person to encourage other staff to treat him as a person and see past the dementia.”
"Asma is and will always be our angel. I can’t think of anyone who deserves an award more than her."
Our Staff Awards
We have a wider set of Staff Awards, which are voted for by staff, for staff. Look out for more about these shortly. Our awards take place each year and are an opportunity for us to recognise and thank colleagues across our hospitals for their dedication and commitment to providing the best care to all our patients.
Our sponsors
Once again this year, our Staff Awards are generously supported by our hospitals charity and the sponsorship they organise, which allows us to host two awards nights in November. Thank you to them.
Our sponsors and supporters are:
- Barry Preece
- Colour Connection
- Gloucestershire Managed Services
- Health Innovation West of England
- ID Medical
- Kier Construction
- One Gloucestershire Integrated Care System
- Robert Hall Group
- The Richards Family