Lewisham and Greenwich NHS Trust wins two major awards | News

Lewisham and Greenwich NHS Trust wins two major awards

Parliamentary Awards 2020

Staff from Lewisham and Greenwich NHS Trust (LGT) have today (Monday 23 November) been announced as regional London winners in two categories of the NHS Parliamentary Awards – a major awards scheme where MPs nominate health and care workers who have done an outstanding job.

Kate Hudson, LGT’s Lead Dementia Nurse Specialist, has won the London Regional NHS Parliamentary Care and Compassion Award for her work to support dementia patients.

Staff from across LGT have won the London Regional NHS Parliamentary Wellbeing at Work Award in recognition of the organisation’s respect and compassion programme – a major initiative to make the Trust a great place to work for everyone.  The news comes just a week after LGT’s respect and compassion programme was shortlisted for the 2020 Health Service Journal Awards.

Angela Helleur, Chief Nurse for LGT, thanked the organisation’s local MPs, who submitted the nominations for the NHS Parliamentary Awards, adding: “Kate works tirelessly to support older patients and is such a worthy winner of this award. I’m also delighted that all the staff who are focusing on making LGT a great place to work have won an award – this gives us a real boost as we continue to focus on this important priority.”

LGT’s respect and compassion programme was set up in early 2019 in response to staff feedback that more needed to be done to support the organisation’s workforce. The programme has reduced LGT’s vacancy rate from 17.5% in 2018 to under 9% at the time of writing (see editors’ notes for more information on the programme).

As Lead Dementia Nurse Specialist, Kate Hudson’s work has included championing virtual visits for patients, establishing a comprehensive staff training programme and supporting dementia patients with everyday tasks.

Local MPs have praised LGT’s success in the NHS Parliamentary Awards, with Abena Oppong-Asare MP saying: "These amazing key workers could not be any more deserving of this recognition. Whilst each and every one of them deserves much more than an award I am pleased I was able to nominate them to be recognised nationally for the excellent work they have done for people in Erith and Thamesmead during the COVID-19 pandemic."

Vicky Foxcroft MP added:  “Lewisham and Greenwich NHS Trust has made great strides towards tackling bullying, harassment and discrimination, as well as improving staff wellbeing. Its efforts to drive and sustain these improvements deserve recognition.”

Work through the Lewisham and Greenwich NHS Trust’s respect and compassion programme has included:

  • Providing a one-day training course on the focused on supporting staff to demonstrate LGT’s values, to leaders in the organisation - 3,700 leaders have undertaken the training so far
  • Appointing 150 staff wellbeing champions and 30 mental health first aiders
  • Becoming the second Trust in the country to achieve accreditation for flexible working
  • Increasing the number of staff in senior roles from black, Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds through the equality, diversity and inclusion plan
  • Appointing an independent speaking up service
  • Reduced vacancy rates to under 9% (from a high of 17.5% in 2018).

Kate Hudson’s work has included setting up virtual visits and pet therapy sessions for older patients, organising tea parties, giving patients gift boxes, training colleagues in providing compassionate care and setting up a calm assessment area. She supports patients with dementia and delirium on a daily basis and has links with the families of regular patients with dementia and Alzheimer’s UK; they contact Kate directly so she can greet patients with dementia when they come into hospital.

For further information contact lg.communications@nhs.net

Kate Hudson, left, and two of our Midwives (pictured in 2019).

Parliamentary Awards 2020

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