Individual categories

Unsung hero

This award celebrates someone who truly lives our values and makes a difference. They may not always get the praise or recognition for what they do; this was a chance for nominators to shine a light on their attitude, work and commitment.

Winner

Joyce Swift
Specialist community nurse

Joyce works in the community learning disability team and is a true advocate of person-centred care and the importance of parents and carers. Joyce is a champion of giving individuals every opportunity to express and communicate their choices for those at the end of life. She has mentored students and demonstrated a wonderful ability to nurture, engage and inspire.

Joyce expects excellence and typically supports students to achieve this. She has played an important role in developing and inspiring the future workforce in learning disability nursing. Joyce is kind, honest, caring and will go above and beyond what is expected of service users, carers and colleagues.

Excellence winner Joyce Swift South West Yorkshire Partnership NHS Foundation Trust

Runner-up

Clare Hawkins
Ward clerk and medical secretary

Clare is nominated because of the dedication, devotion, enthusiasm and commitment she has shown while working as a part-time medical secretary and ward clerk. She has been working over and beyond the requirement of her job and her planning, organisation, and management skills are exemplary. Over the last year, the clinic ‘did not attend’ rates have reduced to zero and she has set up and organised the stroke administration service at Kendray Hospital.

Clare has also made a big contribution to transformation by training and helping the staff members coming from other areas to work in stroke and neuro-rehabilitation units in Kendray Hospital.

Finalists

Gillie Arthington
Community mental health practitioner

Paul Dews
Art and music practitioner

Rebecca Harris
Management accountant

Tony Lalic
Appointments officer and receptionist, medical records

Jo Smethurst
Housekeeper, Priory Ward

Leader of the year

This is for anybody who has excellent leadership skills; they do not need to be in a formal management role. This award recognises the importance of ‘leading from every seat’ in the Trust, inspiring others and taking people with them.

Winner

Samuel Jamera
Ward manager, Ryburn Ward

Sam is known throughout the Trust as “happy Sam” because of the optimistic and positivity he brings to the job. Sam brings with him a positive and vibrant attitude that makes people feel good about themselves. He has been on Ryburn for only a year but within this short space of time he has transformed the ward – its atmosphere, starting new initiatives, promoting aftercare and discharge packages, staff motivation and much more.

Sam’s smile, personality and aspirations are inspiring and this seems to bring out the best in people and his team. Sam is highly supportive and displays strong, clinical and professional leadership.

Excellence leader of the year Samuel Jamera

Runner up

Sarah Long
Ward manager, Elmdale Ward

As a ward manager Sarah has set standards on both Elmdale and Ashdale wards that everyone can aspire to. Sarah has created an environment where patients are valued and where staff are encouraged to support one another with care and compassion. Sarah has helped to create a team that works collaboratively, ensuring they provide a service that supports patients at their most vulnerable.

Sarah strives to get the best out of people through her mentorship, and by sharing her experience and skills. After years of hard work her commitment to achieving the best and her loyalty to the service users and staff is exceptional.

Finalists

Sandra Butler and Laura Ainslie
Acting unit managers, PICU

Vicky Butterfield
Advanced nurse practitioner

Emma Cox
Named nurse for safeguarding children

Joann Gibson
Practice governance coach

Sue Wing
Deputy district director, general community services

Rising star

Recognising anyone who is on the up in their career, whether new into the Trust or in an evolving role. This is for someone who has a bright future in front of them; they can inspire change and are making a real difference.

Winner

Katie Dixon
Admiral Nurse

“For me, the most positive support came from our Admiral Nurse, Katie Dixon, who has become an absolute lifeline.” These fantastic words were spoken by the wife and carer of a dementia service user. Katie supports people with dementia, providing a level of care and compassion that goes above and beyond.

People talk about the energy and kind-heartedness that Katie demonstrates, always making sure that the needs of her patients are at the centre of the care she provides. As an Admiral Nurse Katie provides clinical, practical and emotional support to her service users, and ensures that carers and family members are treated with empathy and respect.

Excellence rising star Katie Dixon South West Yorkshire Partnership NHS Foundation Trust

Runner up

Stephen Shaw
Graphic designer

“Speedy Stephen” is the nickname that Stephen has in communications because of his attitude, efficiency and the way he is able to meet tight deadlines despite an ever-increasing workload. Stephen joined the team in August 2016 and very quickly became an indispensable asset to the Trust’s graphic design team.

Stephen joined at a time of change and of significant design staffing reduction. He was able to bring a unique approach to our design, bringing in new skills and experience and making design more responsive and forward-looking. Without Stephen’s skills, attitude and approach the graphic design function would be much less successful.

Finalists

Dr Purvesh Madhani
Consultant forensic psychiatrist

Chris Roughley
Acting clinical lead

Marcio Santa Rosa
Physiotherapist

Emma Stripe
Specialist community learning disability nurse

Jennifer Thawley
Community diabetes dietitian

Outstanding achievement

This award is for someone who has made an outstanding contribution to the Trust and our work. They may have been working for the NHS for a long time or perhaps they have triumphed over adversity – either way, they have achieved something remarkable.

Winner

Sarah Petherbridge
Senior immunisation nurse

During challenging times Sarah’s passion and determination to succeed have shone. Appointed in April 2016 to lead a schools vaccination team she appointed and trained a full team to deliver the schools based programmes to approximately 15,000 children and young people.

Sarah’s enthusiasm and passion for her job soon influenced the new team and she has created a team culture like no other. Her drive for excellence is astounding, always aiming to vaccinate as many children and young people in Barnsley as possible whilst keeping a close eye on quality and safety. She has helped the team to achieve the best results in the region.

Excellence outstanding achievement Sarah Petherbridge South West Yorkshire Partnership NHS Foundation Trust

Runner-up

Julie Warren-Sykes
Assistant director of nursing, governance and safety

Julie has tenacity in championing safeguarding for both adults and children. She leads the safeguarding team from the front and is an ambassador for the Trust through the work that she has developed and delivered nationally and internationally.

Julie is honest in her approach, challenging individuals and organisations both internally and externally to examine their own values and practices in relation to safeguarding and safety. As a values-based leader she strives to ensure that the team are ‘relevant today and ready for tomorrow’ through supporting individual and team development, and by making sure that victims’ voices are heard.

Finalists

Michelle Enright
Support, time and recovery worker

Claire Girvan
Occupational therapy team leader

Diane Macauley
Ward manager, Chantry Unit

Julie Mellor
Healthcare worker

Linda Moon
General manager, Calderdale, Kirklees and Wakefield CAMHS

The Chair’s award

Chosen from all the individual entries this person stood out as someone that leads within the Trust every day.

Winner

Jo Smethhurst
Housekeeper, Priory Ward

Jo is an asset to the Priory 2 housekeeping team. Every shift that she works she makes a

positive difference to the ward atmosphere which in turn contributes to service user care and experience. Jo is always upbeat, always smiling and is someone who takes genuine pride in her work and her contribution to service user care. Nothing is ever too much trouble for her.

The first thing she does when she arrives at work is to write a message of hope and positivity on the dining room whiteboard for service users to read during meal times. This small gesture has a huge impact on the service users’ day and many comment that it makes them smile and brightens their mood.

Excellence chair winner Jo Smethurst South West Yorkshire Partnership NHS Foundation Trust

Read more about all our finalists in our brochure.

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