Inspirational nursing, midwifery and allied health professional heroes across the Tees Valley and North Yorkshire have been honoured at a prestigious event for their outstanding contributions to patient care.
The Heart of Tees conference and celebration awards saw nursing, midwifery and allied health professional staff across University Hospitals Tees presented with special accolades, nominated by patients and colleagues.
More than 400 nominations were received for a diverse range of award categories.
Emma Nunez, group chief nursing officer, said: “It was a true privilege to attend the first-ever University Hospitals Tees Heart of Tees conference and celebration awards.
Congratulations to all our nominees, and a heartfelt thank you to our nursing, midwifery, and AHP colleagues across University Hospitals Tees. Every day, you go above and beyond to deliver compassionate, high-quality care, both on the wards and out in the community.
“Today was a wonderful chance to celebrate the innovation and excellence driving patient care across the entire Tees Valley and North Yorkshire.”
Personalised cancer care prehabilitation lead, Chloé McMurray received the collaboration across boundaries award.
Her work connects departments across University Hospitals Tees with local community groups including Active North Yorkshire, Boro Runners and Middlesbrough FC Foundation to provide patients with comprehensive physical, nutritional, psychological and mental wellbeing support before treatment.
The patient nomination said: “The care, attention and advice provided by the team is incredible.
“They have helped me build life-long changes and I’m now super healthy and lighter. I couldn’t have done it without them.”
Specialist bereavement midwife, Tracy Pickersgill received the excellence in patient-centred care award for her exceptional passion and dedication to helping patients and their families. Recently, she supported tribal women in India to help establish a perinatal mental health and maternity bereavement unit.
The digital and innovation award went to the Martha’s Rule task and finish group.
The team led by deputy chief nurse, Lindsay Garcia was recognised for transforming patient safety by embedding patient and family voices into clinical decision-making through the NHS’s first dual automated digital pathway.
Amongst the other winners on the day were ‘empowering’ paediatric clinical educators Shelley Cassidy and Katie Metcalfe who picked up the education and mentorship award, ‘courageous’ level 6 podiatry apprentice, Daniel Mitchell who received the rising star award and ‘proactive’ advanced practice physiotherapist Amanda Trees who collected the research and evidence-based practice award.
Finally, the leader of the award went to lead nurse for palliative and end of life care, Zoe Booth and Georgia Payne from the adult speech and language therapy and dietetic service.
Zoe was recognised for establishing three palliative care networks, proactively collaborating with community services and playing a pivotal role in the reopening of beds at Butterwick Hospice, expanding choice for patients wishing to be cared for.
Whilst Georgia was commended by her team for being ‘deeply committed to developing and championing others’ and being ‘an excellent and admired leader.’