Rozi Murray and Mark Bond both from South Tees Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust were over the moon to be honoured with the national accolades from NHS England.
The Chief Nursing Officer (CNO) Healthcare Support Worker Awards (HCSW) recognised their commitment, compassion and dedication to providing exceptional support to nursing and midwifery practice.
Victoria Bagshaw, deputy director of workforce and education for NHS England (North East and Yorkshire) presented the awards with Lindsey Garica, director of nursing for South Tees Hospitals in a surprise ceremony at The James Cook University Hospital on Wednesday 1 April.
Meet Mark
Mark has worked for the trust for over 27 years, working on the intensive care unit before moving into theatres at the Friarage.
He was applauded for creating innovative methods to support his colleagues with replenishing theatre stock more easily.
These included a traffic light system in urology to identify stock levels, informative guides to identify lists of recommended kit for different procedures and where to find them and booklets detailing new equipment.
The nomination said: “Mark is respectful, supportive and caring. He uses each interaction as an opportunity to improve working lives and patient experiences and consistently goes above and beyond for everyone.
He has an eye for detail and a drive for continuous improvement for both the service and departmental staff. Mark works very closely with his colleagues to ensure all patients receive safe, timely and effective care.
“He has a real warmth and readiness to listen and support and the team wouldn’t be the same without him.”
Meet Rozi
Rozi currently works on ward 34 at James Cook and received the CNO commitment award for consistently providing outstanding care and compassion to her colleagues and patients.
The nomination said: “Rozi went above and beyond working tirelessly to ensure patients basic needs were met on a very difficult shift with a high acuity of patients with complex needs.
“In a high-pressured environment with reduced staffing, she remained calm and collected and continued to check in with rest of the team to provide support and reassurance, demonstrating compassionate leadership skills beyond her role.
“Rozi has such fortitude and the care she gives leaves those who meet her in awe. So many thank her but she is humble and does not waiver, we all feel like we have gained something unforgettable thanks to knowing her.
She truly lives and breathes the NHS and trust values of respective, caring and supportive.”
Enriching lives
Mark and Rozi are the first two healthcare support workers at the trust to receive the honour.
Lindsay Garcia, director of nursing said: “We are extremely proud of Mark and Rozi.
“Their unwavering dedication to supporting and enriching the lives of their patients and colleagues is truly remarkable and shines through in everything that they do.
“To have been awarded with the prestigious Chief Nursing Officer awards is an incredible accomplishment and a tremendous inspiration to others.
They are the beating heart of our trust and NHS values; caring, supportive and respectful and we are proud to have them as part of our workforce.”