Pictured L – R Alex Dalton, Darren Jemison, Michaela Ireland, Elaine Vine-Jenkins, Rachel Barnes and Lisa Chaytor.
I’m so pleased to share that six practice nurses have recently been recognised for their dedication to nursing at the Yorkshire and Humber Celebrating General Practice Nursing Awards 2019.
It was really positive to receive so many submissions when we went out for initial nominations, so I want to say a big thank you to everyone who took the time to nominate a colleague or team and for supporting the process. Our judging panel certainly had a difficult job on their hands when it came to whittling down the nominations to final submissions!
Six nurses were put forward for, and shortlisted in, the regional awards. Alex Dalton, Lead Nurse for Modality Nursing Team was recognised in the Integrated Working category. This was down to her strong leadership ethos and ability to bring teams together as well as her patient and quality focus.
Darren Jemison from James Alexander Family Practice was shortlisted is in the Driving Person Centred Care category. His nomination showed the strength of his caring, holistic and person centred approach, his ability to empower patients and how he is an inspiring mentor.
Also from James Alexander Family Practice, we had a joint nomination for Michaela Ireland and Elaine Vine-Jenkins in the Innovation category for their involvement in staff health and wellbeing, their instrumental role in practice trials and their level of passion for patient centred care.
The final James Alexander Family Practice finalist was Lisa Chaytor, who was nominated in the Rising Star category. Lisa’s nomination highlighted the way she has spearheaded changing practice, used research, supported colleagues and focussed on education.
And finally, Rachel Barnes from Diadem Medical Centre was nominated in the Mentorship and Preceptorship category by a student nurse whom she had mentored. Rachel’s nominator wanted her to be recognised for her outstanding support, mentoring and coaching skills, her strong focus on education and ability to develop others.
To celebrate we invited the finalists to a special awards lunch where we presented them with certificates. The short event gave some of our wider CCG team a chance to meet the nurses and hear more about the work they are leading in practices alongside their Primary Care colleagues. It was also a great opportunity for CCG staff, nurses and wider Primary Care Colleagues to talk together about how important nursing is in Primary Care and beyond.
Shortly after our local celebration the six nurses headed off to Leeds for the final regional awards, where Rachel was named second runner up in her category, Darren named first runner up in his and Michaela and Elaine second runners up in their category too.
We know nursing holds a fundamental role in delivering the Long Term Plan, and we’re proud to have such a dedicated and enthusiastic nursing workforce in Hull. Nursing has come a long way locally, with nurses from practices and groupings across the city becoming increasingly involved in leadership roles, developing their skills and strengthening the local ‘nursing offer’. I feel very proud to be a part of such a skilled nursing workforce.
These awards stand as another opportunity where we are able to showcase our nurses, not just to those in the health sector or region, but also the future workforce and our patients too. Opportunities like the Celebrating General Practice Nursing Awards give our nurses a voice and a well-deserved pat on the back.
So thank you, once again, to everyone who nominated, those who were nominated, and our six finalists, plus all of our Primary Care colleagues who help us to create a healthier Hull, day in, day out.
Sarah Smyth
NHS Hull CCG Director of Quality and Clinical Governance / Executive Nurse
