Trust is in line for two awards - The Worcester Observer

Trust is in line for two awards

Worcester Editorial 7th Sep, 2021   0

THE local health trust has been shortlisted for two awards in this year’s HSJ Awards 2021, recognising outstanding contributions to healthcare in what has been an exceptional and challenging period for the NHS.

Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust, which runs the Alexandra, Kidderminster and Worcestershire Royal Hospitals, has been shortlisted for the Freedom to Speak Up (FTSU) Organisation of the Year Award and the Workforce Initiative of the Year Award.

The FTSU award shortlisting follows the Trust being named, in July 2020, in the three most improved Trusts in the country on the FTSU Index Score 2019, compared to the previous year.

Ensuring staff – as well as others working in our hospitals – feel safe and supported to speak up about improving the quality and safety of patient care is a key priority and work has continued throughout the pandemic to further raise the profile of FTSU and make it easier for colleagues to raise concerns in a safe way.




Key achievements over the last 12 months include the development of an innovative FTSU portal which enables staff to confidentially raise their concerns with ease and accessibility, and a particular focus on ensuring people from groups who may feel particularly vulnerable if they speak up are identified and supported.

Melanie Hurdman, Freedom to Speak Up Guardian at the Trust, said: “This recognition really does reflect the collaborative efforts and dedication of everyone, including our Freedom to Speak Up champions, who has worked so hard to successfully embed a Freedom to Speak Up culture across our hospitals.”


Anita Day, Vice Chair of the Trust and FTSU Board Lead, said: “Freedom To Speak Up is vital in healthcare – it can be a matter of life or death, When workers feel psychologically safe, they will speak up to avoid harm, bring great ideas, and be able to express their concerns.

“A good speaking up culture makes for a safer workplace for staff, patients and service users, so I am really pleased that the important work we have been doing in this area is being recognised.”

The Workforce Initiative of the Year Award shortlisting recognises the work done by the ophthalmology team to expand the roles of supporting staff, and the introduction of a dedicated diagnostic hub – both of which are ensuring eye patients are seen quicker.

Mr Tarun Sharma, clinical director for Ophthalmology, said: “Instead of waiting to see a consultant on the same day that diagnostic eye tests take place, nurses take patients through a series of rapid tests which are all completed within a 45-minute visit.

“Once seen in the diagnostic clinic each patient’s assessment is then individually reviewed virtually by the consultants or a nurse practitioner and a plan for ongoing care is formulated.

“This new nurse-led approach reduces the time each patient spends in the clinic, and aims to improve the patient experience.”

The winners will be announced on November 18

 

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