23 September 2016
Excellence and innovation in health and social care has been celebrated by the Health and Social Services Department (HSSD) as teams of staff present projects which have improved patient or client care.
Final judging for HSSD’s annual Quality Improvement Awards took place this week. The event seeks to promote, recognise and reward innovation in practice. Staff were able to enter any project undertaken which has been developed through teamwork and benefits islanders receiving care. 11 teams of project finalists were chosen across four categories:
The judging panel consisted of:
- Connetable John Refault – Assistant Minister for Health and Social Services
- Richard Stevens – Director for Human Resources, States of Jersey
- Gail Cadell – Director for Palliative Care, Jersey Hospice Care
Following the presentations, winners were announced in four categories:
- Patient/Client Safety – Thomas House accommodation service (a partnership between Barnardo’s Jersey and the HSSD Care Leaving Team)
- Value for Money – Implementation of a ‘Mindfulness for Health’ Programme in the Pain Clinic
- Customer Care – The Oxygen Box Project by the Community Oxygen Team
- Innovation – Splashchat Project (a partnership between the HSSD Occupational Therapists, Jersey Alzheimer’s Association and Aquasplash)
The overall winner of the Quality Improvement Awards will be announced at the HSSD Achievement Awards evening which takes place at the Raddisson Blu Hotel on Thursday 29 September.
Chief Nurse, Rose Naylor, who oversees the Quality Improvement Awards said: “The initial task of reducing the entries down to a short-list of 11 was a difficult one and it was an even greater challenge for the judges to pick out the winner in each category. As these awards demonstrate, staff want to do their best and work well in partnership – this is an important opportunity to showcase their work and I think they are all a real credit to Jersey.”
Thanks to staff and families
At next week’s Achievement Awards, HSSD staff will be joined by the Chief Minister, Senator Ian Gorst, Health and Services Minister, Senator Andrew Green, and former Minister, Deputy Anne Pryke. The event is an opportunity to thank staff for their contribution to the organisation and to recognise the important supporting role that their families play.
Awards will be given for involvement in reform work, professional awards, student nurse graduation and for unsung heroes. At an afternoon function on the same day, a series of awards for long service will be presented.
Senator Green said: "The day marks a formal celebration of recognition and thanks, at which a number of achievements are recognised. We know what an incredible job all our staff perform every day, and this event is a way of saying thank you to as many people as possible and their families. There is so much work which goes on.
"Whilst people often think of doctors, nurses and social workers working in health and social care, the range of roles is much more diverse. There are so many different roles across the service. For example colleagues who run our laundry, fix our buildings, cook food for patients, move people around the site, teach our students, and who are part of our governance teams and administration functions all make a valuable contribution, and the intention is to say thank you to all of them."
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