Tania Woodrow, specialist Podiatrist Diabetes, Diabetic Foot Clinic Team, Podiatry department, Cornwall Partnership NHS Foundation Trust
Our team consists of two senior podiatrists and 3 podiatry assistants. During the COVID period, the team have maintained their clinical roles and responsibilities to ensure that the foot clinic is open and able to maintain the continuity of care for all of our high risk diabetic patients with foot wounds, open amputation wounds and assorted other conditions. It has also offered an emergency service, to both our patients and the wider health community, where anyone with a foot concern was able to access our service for assessment, treatment and admission if necessary. The team had to move out of the Royal Cornwall Hospital and set up within Truro Health Park podiatry department, which was achieved within 1 day to limit the impact upon patient care and accessibility. I am particularly proud of the team’s approach to the crisis. They have all remained cheerful, willing to help and adaptable, whilst bringing a compassionate, socially distanced, point of human contact for our mostly elderly and vulnerable client group.
Jody Pazstor, Paediatric Physiotherapist, Swansea Bay University Health Board
Nominator Ceri Selman, Specialist Paediatric Physiotherapist, on behalf of the community paediatric physiotherapy team at Hafan Y Mor, would like Jody to be recognised for her outstanding contribution during the pandemic. Jody is an experienced band 6 therapist who has always been an excellent clinician but she does not always acknowledge her many abilities and skills. During the pandemic Jody has absolutely blossomed in her ability to lead change for the team in two very positive ways. Despite the practical and emotional pressure of upskilling and preparing to be redeployed to frontline adult COVID services, Jody maintained a quiet, pragmatic calm within her work which positively effected those around her. Jody volunteered herself as a Wellbeing Champion and fulfilled the role with verve. She led group workshops and tailored support for individuals’ needs as well as signposting wellbeing resources. Jody always remains professional in her approach even during difficult or emotive conversations. She is a patient and sensitive colleague and has a positive influence on healthy team behaviour- advocating walk arounds, relaxation techniques and mindfulness. In addition to this, Jody has been our IT Champion during our service adoption of an in-house virtual consultation system. She has dedicated time alongside clinical work to collaborate with our Trust IT Team in the set up and piloting of ‘Attend Anywhere’. This has meant endless problem-solving sessions to iron out glitches and regularly communicating updates to the team. All done with efficiency, clarity of purpose and always approachable. Jody has grown professionally over this turbulent period and she has risen to every challenge presented to her- playing an important role in maintaining the wellbeing for our team as well as significantly contributing to service change. It is of note to say that she has achieved this as well as caring for her two young children and renovating her home.
Vicki Sheen, Head of Physiotherapy, and the Reassigned AHPs, Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust
Nominator, Kathryn Bamforth, clinical research team leader, says that over 100 AHPs from newly qualified to specialist members of staff made themselves available for reassignment as their substantive work in planned and elective care was stood down during the initial response. They took part in upskilling training and were inducted into teams across the organisation ranging from A&E to in-patient wards and community rehabilitation teams. Some staff moved to new roles created specifically for the response such as the shielding hub: contacting patients in the most vulnerable groups to ensure they had medicine, food etc. Feedback from the hosting areas was overwhelmingly positive and staff demonstrated amazing flexibility as they moved into shift pattern working and learned new skills including venepuncture, cannulation, basic wound care and compression bandaging. In nominating them the Trust recognises their dedication and courage during a very worrying and unsettling time.
Jackie Keegan, administrator and the Okehampton Community Rehabilitation Team, Royal Devon and Exeter NHS Foundation Trust
Abi Hall, physiotherapy lead, and Dawn Parker, OT lead, would like to nominate the whole of the Okehampton Rehab Team for their amazing work, professionalism, dedication and support over a very challenging period. The team care for frail older people, or people with complex presentations who are housebound. During COVID we asked them to completely change how they work, when they work and what their work involved. It was a challenging time for everyone, but their support for us as clinical leads was outstanding. Their support for each other was amazing and we couldn’t be prouder of them. Anything we asked of them, they took on board - all for the sake of the patients. They couldn’t be a better team of amazing skilled professionals with hearts of gold! It’s a privilege to work alongside them!
Alice Mayo and Gorseinon Hospital Physiotherapy, Swansea Bay University Health Board
Nominator Charlotte Drinkald, occupational therapist, says that the team have done an amazing job. There have been many patients requiring rehabilitation and discharge with complex needs. There has been a huge variety of patient groups such as amputees, dense CVAs, fallers, poly traumas as well as multipathology Covid patients which they have all adapted to working with and provided a high standard of rehab. There have been many challenges such as wearing heavy PPE when rehabbing patients as well as adapting and creating treatment plans without using a physio gym. They have also had to work above and beyond their roles doing jobs such as washing and dressing/toileting etc. Myf, Alice, Jill, Beth, Ian, Alex, Alex, Kate, Anne and Becca have been fantastic.
Hannah Twyford, Advanced Physiotherapist, and the Covid-19 Physiotherapy Service, Hertfordshire Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust
Nominator Hannah Meara, Professional Lead for Learning Disability Physiotherapy, says that this was a new team to provide a Covid-19 physiotherapy service within inpatient settings across our learning disability and mental health units. This service provided training to ward staff on physical health, positioning and managing the Covid-19 patient, particularly post viral rehab needs. The service has supported staff and service users to ensure they were safely and effectively managed, helping them manage their symptoms and recover to their baseline. The staff were physiotherapy staff from both learning disability and older people’s mental health teams who have worked fantastically together to provide this new service.
Lisa Neale, support worker, intermediate care, Torbay and South Devon Trust
Lynda Ferron and the Therapies Team at Northampton General Hospital
Davis Thomas, divisional director says the therapies team are playing a vital role in the treatment of most conditions but especially Covid-19. They have been actively involved in all acute areas such as Intensive care as well as the Covid positive wards, enabling all manner of treatments such as proning as well as more intensive physiotherapy for patients recovering from Covid-19. They have set up a 7-day working system to provide better care with fewer gaps. They are playing a vital role in the new Frailty unit as well. All of this is in addition to their regular work with stroke and elderly care patients. They have coped with staff sickness due and continue to provide a seamless and timely service which is really valued by all patients and other clinical teams around.
Sarah Thompson, principal speech and language therapist, at Kingston Hospital Foundation Trust
Nominator Elizabeth Pugh says that Sarah has given 18+ years of service to the Kingston Hospital Speech service. Sarah always puts her team above herself, supporting team members on a personal and professional basis. This has been amplified during the COVID-19 pandemic where she has ensured that the team were safe, supported and fully staffed despite going through difficult personal circumstances herself. Sarah has not taken leave and has covered for other staff members when they have time off. She has also encouraged the team to seek assistance from the wellness team has cultivated a light and happy atmosphere at work. Sarah is a fantastic manager and friend; our whole department would love to see her hard work acknowledged and celebrated!
Ruth Jones, POCT Manager, and Point of Care Testing team at Swansea Bay University Health Board
Ruth Evans, pathology clinical training manager, explains that the team sits within the Laboratory Medicine service. As glucose, ketone and blood gas analysis were essential for the management of the Covid-19 patients, the small POCT team were integral to the health board’s response to the crisis. They were responsible for training the entire Morriston Hospital theatre workforce to perform blood gases and glucose, placed extra blood gas analysers in Morriston and dealt with general requests from all sites and areas to quickly upskill staff on blood gas, glucose and ketone. From the 17 March to 16April, POCT trained 323 staff within SBUHB and the Bridgend Locality of CTM. During the same period last year POCT trained 94 members of staff. The team collectively overcame numerous difficulties around sourcing, education facilitators and delivering the training in a safe manner
Clare Rees, specialist biomedical scientist at Swansea Bay University Health Board
Ruth Evans, pathology clinical training manager says that Clare Rees is a caring and popular member of the team. As well-being champion, she assisted management to provide support for staff. Clare has always been passionate about the well-being of colleagues but has excelled during the Covid-19 crisis. Clare has kept staff motivated by approaching local businesses to secure brownie drop-offs, bringing in relaxation and exercise equipment from home, including a hula hoop and foam roller and has also raffled sunflowers, seeds and bottles of wine. Clare has regularly run ‘positivity circles’ for small groups of staff, encouraging them to speak about positive things they have done and things that have not gone so well. Clare has recently signed up to the ‘Taking Care Giving Care (TCGC) Mini Rounds’ and ‘REACTMH Practitioner Training’ so she can continue to support staff as best as possible.
Justine Theaker, chief AHP, Nightingale North West, Manchester Foundation Trust
Nominator Victoria Dickens, director of AHPs, Northern Care Alliance says that Justine was seconded to Nightingale North West to take on the role as Chief AHP. The amount of work involved in setting up this facility quickly was huge and Justine embraced this challenge with resilience and passion. Her mission to ensure that AHPs had a voice and were involved appropriately meant building relationships and her being a strong leader during an unusual time pressured period. This resulted in Justine working 7 days a week to ensure AHP teams were set up safely and given necessary support, induction and training. Justine's resilience and brilliant leadership of AHPs has been demonstrated on a daily basis. Examples include facilitation of a student physio placement, supporting well-being of staff and staff experience with a quality improvement project, setting up and delivery of training for all AHP staff.
Liz Harris, head of professional standards, and the chief executive group at the College of Paramedics
Tracy Nicholls, chief executive, says that this incredible team have pulled out all the stops during the crisis to support, not only the College membership, but all paramedics, front-line clinicians and students. Their commitment to the profession has been simply outstanding! They have given tremendous support to students who have found themselves in unique circumstances and have worked closely with HEIs to ensure a collegiate approach was used, particularly for those going onto a temporary register. They have explored every avenue to support mental health, and particularly for those on the front-line who were shielding or had family members who needed support. They have increased the podcast CPD available to members, acknowledging that members would require something different during the lockdown. They have thrown themselves into research to support the profession going forward and they have been working on ensuring the governance of the College is maintained during the dramatic change of business to enable our membership to receive the full benefit of the work that has been undertaken. Among all of that, they have responded to consultations, supported HEIs with programmes, worked in partnership with stakeholders, dealt with a change of CRM system within the College and kept buoyant, positive and membership-focused. They are simply amazing and their passion and commitment to the profession remains stronger than ever.
Brenda Nugent, assistant dietetics services manager, and the Nutrition and Dietetics Service, Belfast HSC Trust
Nominator Lucy Hull, nutrition and dietetics head of service, says that at the start of the pandemic the team had to prioritise the service, train and redeploy staff within dietetics and to other services. The staff were flexible and innovative, reflected in that all outpatient contacts have been delivered virtually. Several staff were redeployed to the Trust Community Covid Centre and were only too willing to do their part. Our Health Improvement Team provided guidance to the Council and Community groups on the use of food parcels. The Nightingale Hospital was equipped with feeding pumps and staff trained to provide a critical care service. We also continued to provide a service to unscheduled inpatients. Many of the staff were juggling work and family commitments with home schooling thrown in. They faced each challenge and continued to provide a dietetic service.
Donna Holland, non-acute dietitian, Southern Health and Social Care Trust
Nominator Irene Thompson, team lead dietitian, explains that shortly into the COVID-19 pandemic, Donna was advised to shield at home. Donna was willing to work from home, so once remote access was organised she was up and running! Within a few days an urgent piece of work was assigned to her. Donna swiftly got into action and was heavily involved in developing the Regional Nutrition Guidance for COVID-19 care home residents within Northern Ireland. This was an essential piece of work to support the independent sector treat and help meet the nutritional needs of their patients with or suspected of suffering with COVID-19. Donna also took on numerous other pieces of work, allowing her colleagues to focus their time and attention on clinical contacts. Donna’s willingness and swift action to work whilst shielding, has greatly supported the Nutrition and Dietetic Service and has been immensely appreciated.
Gail Nash, AHP practice education coordinator and the webinar team, NHS Education for Scotland, NHS Dumfries and Galloway, NHS Lothian, NHS Shetland
Nominator Moraig Rollo, associate director AHP, says that Gail Nash and the team responded to the crisis by running a series of interactive webinars. Through the practice education network, it was identified that AHPs were increasingly being asked to shift the delivery model of their services from hands-on face-to-face to a remote virtual clinic delivery. A series of profession specific webinars were hosted – physiotherapy, speech and language therapy, prosthetics and orthotics, podiatry and OT, demonstrating the practical application of NHS Near Me. So far over 4,100 people participated in the webinars with a further 3,000 links to the uploaded recording of the sessions. Following the webinars, Near Me consultations rose from approx. 3,000 to 33,000 consultations. This was a collaborative approach led by practice education leads Ailidh Hunter (NHS Lothian), Marc Beswick (NHS Shetland), Wendy Chambers (NHS Dumfries and Galloway), Gail Nash and Carol Curran at NHS Education for Scotland, also contributors from practitioners across Scotland willing to share their knowledge and skills in Near Me virtual consultations.
Move More Sheffield, Anna Lowe, programme manager, National Centre for Sport and Exercise Medicine
When the country went into lockdown many people became isolated and less active. Although many excellent digital resources were available to support people to keep active, we were conscious that many people in Sheffield are digitally excluded and there were no suitable resources for them. The team worked with partners to rapidly co-produce the ACTIVE AT HOME booklet to support older people and those with health conditions to stay active and healthy during lockdown. 25,000 booklets were distributed across the city with help from third sector partners. Since then, the booklet has been adopted by Public Health England, 250,000 copies have gone out in DEFRA food boxes nationally to the most vulnerable people and a further 250,000 copies have been make available for local authorities to distribute in their localities. A full evaluation is underway.
Cedar, Cardiff and Vale University Health Board
Cedar is a team of healthcare scientists and researchers based in Cardiff & Vale and Cardiff University, nominated by Ruth Louise Poole, researcher. We were pleased to offer our unique expertise to support the Health Board in its response to the pandemic. Areas in which team members have contributed have included clinical engineering equipment library and commissioning, frontline Covid-19 testing, conducting an organisation-wide survey and interviews of staff to ensure that lessons being learned are not lost, observational research at Ysbyty Calon y Ddraig (Dragon’s Heart Hospital), identifying key Covid-19 publications and resources in order to signpost others, and maintaining the office and Cedar’s routine work in order to release other team members for the above tasks. I am incredibly proud of my colleagues who have each stepped up to their own challenges including adjusting to homeworking and remote management, learning new skills, travelling to different sites, and establishing new working relationships. Using an analogy I recently heard – these are the people who run towards the fire rather than away from it!
Amy Ellis, mortuary manager and the team, Viapath which runs the mortuary at King's College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
Nominator Khadijah F Owusu-Ansah, tissue sciences service delivery manager, says before COVID-19 this small team of four - Amy Ellis, Holly Wells, senior anatomical pathology technician, Robert Cast, anatomical pathology technician and Charlotte Yesodharan, trainee anatomical pathology technician - would look after approximately 120 patients each month. Their duties range from making sure paperwork is complete and that identification of the deceased is correct, to making sure the mortuary is clean, and patients are looked after during their time there. Fast forward just a few weeks and the team has welcomed Alexander Stone, locum medical student, on a temporary basis because of the overwhelming increase in workload. Within one month the number of deceased has doubled to 260, an alarming number when you consider that the mortuary only has space for 86 patients. As a result of the pandemic the mortuary team have had to be flexible in their response, working twelve hours a day wasn’t enough and so they introduced a seven-day week (often still working 12 hours a day!) to ease the burden on a Monday morning, while also supporting the bereavement services. In addition to this, they were involved in the setup of a temporary mortuary unit at Denmark Hill. The temporary unit took four days and the entire team to setup, but they managed to have it up and running before the UK hit its ‘peak’. It now means that there is room for 480 patients, and it provides peace of mind for families that their loved ones are still being cared for by the mortuary team at the hospital. Working closely with the funeral directors, the team ensure the dignified transfer of patients to this new unit at the end of each working day. The pandemic continues to bring many challenges, but the mortuary team has done a phenomenal job in handling these and maintaining focus on providing the best care possible for our patients, even after their passing.
Shonaid McCabe, primary care occupational therapy lead and the team at NHS Lanarkshire
Nominator Janice McClymont, head of OT explains that it’s a small team of 10 staff, most of whom began employment with the NHSL in Feb/March 2020. Although most had just completed their induction, they fully embraced the immediate changes that were imposed upon them as a consequence of the pandemic. The majority were deployed to other teams across the organisation, but with the continued care and support of their project leader, and their new OT "host" managers, they have excelled. They have shown great resilience and flexibility and have quickly adapted to new teams and alternative working practices or rosters. They have learned new skills including phlebotomy and medicines management to support nursing and homecare colleagues in addition to supporting the development of C19 patient education, and OT staff training resources or advice about working from home. They have successfully continued to support GP colleagues in the management of patients who are shielding or have increasing mental wellbeing issues as a consequence of social isolation, but using different remote technologies and apps. The team's positive commitment, determination and innovative approach has been inspiring and is worth recognition and nomination for this award.
Lisa Partridge, speech and language therapist-acute team lead, Cardiff and Vale
Lisa has been an unflappable team lead; not only doing her own job but covering for her job share who has had an enforced absence. She constantly has a caring attitude towards her patients and colleagues. She is always approachable and willing to give advice: she has been our constant ‘kind ear’ supporting our team‘s mental well-being. She has worked flexibly, increasing her hours to fit in with the service needs despite having two young boys at home. She has shown a great sense of appreciation to her staff throughout, even creating personalised thank you bags, a definite boost to team morale at this challenging time! As if she doesn’t already sound like super speech therapist of the year, she went outside of her comfort zone to record a piece for BBC Wales representing our profession and team in Cardiff and Vale.
Enfys Hospital, Deeside, therapy project team, Betsi Cadwaladr
Cara Spencer, head of speech and language therapy (east) says that the project team have come together rapidly, and with a fast changing brief to establish a therapy team ready to support patients in our field hospital. They have developed an innovative training programme to support redeployed therapy and nursing staff unfamiliar with working in a hospital setting to become confident in roles within the field hospital. They have worked alongside a wide project team developing this new setting to safely support patients and new staff, with regularly moving goalposts and much uncertainty.
We are so proud of them and what they've achieved, and always with a smile.
Christine Hurley, professional lead podiatry, Virgin Care NHS Bath
Nominator Judith Sparkes, diabetes lead podiatrist, says Christine has helped to develop a strong adaptable team over several years. During the crisis the whole team have come together to support our high risk patients, community nursing teams and each other. We have faced many challenges and changes over the past few years but have continued to grow as a team and a service. We are currently working to develop a strategy to support the return to fully operational clinics in a safe and sustainable way for both service users and staff.
Well done Bath Podiatry team.
Sue Brierley-Hobson, professional lead, and the dietetics team, Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board
Nominator Kate Harrod-Wild, head of dietetics tells us that the whole of the North Wales dietetics team have been nothing short of heroic in their efforts to support the nutrition of COVID 19 - as well as non-COVID - patients during the pandemic. This includes agreeing pathways across North Wales with nursing, speech and language therapists and catering colleagues to support the nutrition of COVID patients from critical care to those needing oral nutrition and then at discharge. In addition, they have supported the commissioning of field hospitals, advised patients by phone to keep them safe, been upskilled in other areas of dietetics and generally all showed exceptional flexibility, team work and courage in these uncertain times. Even staff who are shielding have been eager to do whatever they can to help.
Paula Simpson and the paediatric SLT dysphagia team, Midlands Partnership Foundation NHS Trust
The three separate dysphagia teams covering North, East and West Staffordshire have come together as one during the Covid-19 period to provide a service for urgent dysphagia in the community and to support colleagues. This support includes commissioned work with neonates/paediatric wards in The University Hospital North Midlands. We've had to adapt quickly providing remote support, looking at online therapy systems and providing face-to-face where required with appropriate PPE. The pooled resources and knowledge has been a positive step forward breaking down barriers and are set to continue in the future new way of working.
Gail Nash, AHP practice education coordinator, Marc Beswick and Ailidh Hunter, AHP practice education leads, Carol Curran, project officer, NHS Education for Scotland, NHS Shetland, NHS Lothian, NHS Education for Scotland
Ruth Paterson, AHP practice education lead at NHS Lanarkshire nominates Gail, Marc and Ailidh for their contribution to AHPs during the crisis, for their willingness to embrace new technology and new ways of working to creatively reach out to support AHPs. They hosted numerous webinars covering topics such as the use of technology to support AHPs in their work with patients, managing the deteriorating patient, support and supervision during Covid-19 and more are planned. The webinars, well received by the AHP community, can be accessed both live and recorded. Gail has also been involved in the creation of a site that hosts Covid-19 related learning for AHPs. Up until now, webinars had not been used in this way and it required all three to learn to work with new technologies and quickly managed to garner support from AHPs willing to tell their stories and learnt how to host, advertise and present webinars.
Children and Families Health Surrey Paediatric Therapy Service, Central Surrey Health and First Community Health and Care Team
Sandra Pycock, head of children's services, says: Children and Families Health Surrey is a partnership organisation providing community NHS services for children and families. The paediatric therapy team, comprising speech and language therapy, occupational therapy and physiotherapy, has demonstrated tremendous adaptability, determination and much creativity, by fully embracing technology to ensure children and families continue to receive support through this crisis. As families were advised to stay at home and schools closed, many children’s therapeutic needs were at risk of not being met, including needs outlined in Education Health Care Plans (EHCPs). Redeployment became a pressure to respond to the acute needs of the wider population but therapies were very aware of the long term impacts if children and families were not supported. Work began on adapting the service offer in order to maintain assessments and interventions. Initially, this began with simple updates to organisational websites with information for families to access. Therapists quickly realised the interactional element of provision was an essential element of a therapeutic relationship and started to explore a new digital option of ‘Attend Anywhere’. Soon, therapy teams were making regular confidential video calls to families, having an added benefit of contact and support for families during ‘lock down’ as well as continuing to meet children’s therapy needs. Each time the therapy team met another hurdle, a digital solution was created. This included the introduction of secure You Tube videos to demonstrate therapy techniques which families could access as reference or discuss on video calls. Sharing of family video clips of children during everyday life, giving therapy teams a unique view of how a child was functioning in the home environment. Digital options were also used for continuing professional development
Marianne Rizkallah, music therapist, North London Music Therapy
Andrew Langford, CEO, British Association of Music Therapy nominates Marianne and North London Music Therapy. They responded to the COVID-19 outbreak by mobilising expertise to provide immediate phone support to NHS and front line key workers at a time of acute need. The service, launched the week after lockdown, was shared between healthcare workers and their colleagues, many of whom referred themselves to the service, some within the first 24 hours. Some even took to social media to advocate for the service, with a video of one doctor from Manchester filming herself using music to cope after a difficult shift, a video which was shared across Twitter by a number of artists and Members of Parliament. The service is now set to expand into aftercare and support for people affected by COVID-19 on a more long-term basis as we prepare for the peak of the mental health crisis that will follow whatever happens with the virus.
Rachel Norris, occupational therapist, East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust.
Rachel is nominated by Gemma Ford, trainee advanced clinical practitioner, who says: ‘Rachel has been a welcoming presence on intensive care, assisting the team with delirium management, orientation and rehabilitation. Having OTs on critical care is usually a rare sight as we don’t have enough of them despite the fantastic work they do but Rachel has made sure she dedicates her time to the COVID ITU. She not only is doing great work with patients there but also training the junior OTs and really showing what AHPs into action really is. I’m honoured to work with her and can clearly see the impact she’s making on these patients and her passion to continue it forward for OTs on critical care post COVID. She is creating orientation boards and spending a lengthy amount of time with her patients to find out their holistic needs and I really feel this is making a huge difference. I never really appreciated the work and use of OTs on critical care but now thanks to Rachel I can’t imagine successful ITU rehab without a permanent OT on critical care. I love our OTs!’
Immunology team, Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children NHS Foundation Trust
Kimberly Gilmour, head of clinical service, and the team have worked exceptionally hard to develop a COVID-19 serology service. They were able to purchase the IgG kits, verify them, train staff and begin testing in a matter of weeks. They are running this service both as a research study to help improve knowledge of COVID-19 but also as a wellbeing service for staff members. By Thursday 7th May, they had run over 750 samples for patients, staff and other Trusts. It is an amazing effort which, says nominator Victoria Heath, deputy lead healthcare scientist, ‘I strongly believe deserves recognition as they are now running a service ahead of many other Trusts. ‘
Microbiology biomedical scientists, NHS Forth Valley
Elan Tsarfati, consultant microbiologist, nominates Elizabeth Kilgour, microbiology laboratory manager and her team. ‘This is an opportunity for us, microbiology consultants and laboratory management staff, to appreciate and praise our microbiology biomedical scientists. Each and every BMS in this photograph is playing a fundamental role in the laboratory diagnosis of COVID-19. Only weeks from gaining UKAS accreditation, this team stood ready to take on a completely new virus using an equally new PCR. Without fail, our team answered the call to duty by validating and starting COVID PCR tests in record time. They’ve adapted their working hours – seeing less of their families and loved ones – to increase testing as demand increases. What a team! We salute them for their professionalism which shines brightly, every day. We’re endlessly impressed by their energy and enthusiasm in all that they do and want their contribution to the COVID-19 pandemic recognised beyond the laboratory. Congratulations and our deepest thanks go out to each and every one of them.’
Verification of Death Service, Swansea Bay University Health Board
Christine Morrell, deputy director of therapies and health services, nominates David Hughes, interim COVID deployment, primary care and community lead for Care After Death, clinical lead AHP verifier and his team.
In response to the Coronavirus Act and Welsh Government guidance, the Board’s AHPs and HCSs have developed a 24/7 Verification of Death (VoD) Service to support the board’s Excess Deaths Plans. The team are working together to achieve flow and support through the Board’s Care After Death Pathway, ensuring timely VoD, certification, arrangement of funeral director/mortuary services and remote registration. Drawing on existing knowledge and skills in co-production, health literacy and self-management support, the team provide invaluable emotional support to those affected. The bereaved are offered immediate referral to the Board’s Psychology and Chaplaincy led Bereavement Service for triage within 48 hours of referral. Most VoD visits are to care homes and this provides much needed support where and when it is needed most. The service optimises AHP, HCS, nursing and medical capacity and is fully aligned with Prof. Chris Jones, DCMO, guidance on VoD in times of emergency.
Karen Ritchie, senior biomedical scientist, NHS Fife
Nominator Ken Campbell, blood sciences services manager, says that since the start of the COVID-19 outbreak, Karen has worked tirelessly to help her colleagues and to enhance the diagnostic laboratory service. In addition to volunteering to help cover shifts and provide support in the Core Lab, and overseeing and supporting the Point of Care blood gas analysers, she has also retrained to operate serology analysers thus releasing microbiology colleagues who have been redeployed to carry out COVID-19 PCR testing. She has also taken the lead in developing and testing workflows to enable our automated pre-analytics to aliquot and archive blood samples from patients who have tested positive, and to process samples which are being collected as part of a wider enhanced surveillance of Covid-19 in Scotland. While these developments have been a team effort, Karen has done much of the groundwork often working in her own time to minimise disruption to the routine work of the department.
Allan Wilson, President, Institute of Biomedical Science
During an unprecedented time, Allan has been an exceptional IBMS President. Not only has he consistently gone above and beyond his role, helping to craft numerous IBMS position statements and press releases, writing relevant and timely messaging to all IBMS members and making sure that the profession’s voice has been heard across the UK when it most needed to be - but he has done it all with diligent and diplomatic professionalism. His appearances on major news broadcasts and in national newspapers have been succinct, on topic and always with the best interests of the public and the profession at heart. He has quickly become a ‘go to’ person because not only does the profession trust him to relay important facts but the public trusts him to tell the truth. The IBMS could not have asked for more from a pandemic President.
David Collyer, operating department practitioner, Aneurin Bevan University Health Board
Nominated by Bill Kilvington, patient safety lead, College of Operating Department Practitioners.
David has published in the Guardian an amazing photo essay of operating department practitioners at work during the Covid-19 emergency. ODPs are one of the lesser well known AHPs and his article in a national newspaper has placed a spotlight on the work that ODPs do and our contribution at this time https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2020/may/06/abergavenny-nevill-hall-hospital-coronavirusphoto-essay
SMART Services, Edinburgh Health and Social Care Partnership
For the team, Michael Dolan, head of assistive technology says that this team have pooled their resources, knowledge and skills to support front-line teams by becoming the PPE Distribution Hub (including professional advisory service) for Edinburgh Health and Social Care Partnership (EHSCP) as well as mass producers (1800 per day) of visors to a wide range of NHS Lothian, EHSCP and carers across the system.
The Rotherham NHS Foundation Trust Advanced and Consultant AHP Plain Film Reporting Team
Nominated by Richard Evans, CEO of the Society of Radiographers.
With the onus on efficient reporting of chest x-rays in COVID-19 cases, some trusts have delegated all chest reporting to radiologists. At Rotherham the consultant radiographers worked closely with the clinical lead radiologist to standardise report format and provide a clear summary of the findings in relation to COVID-19.
The reporting team has adapted to provide 7-day reporting from 8am-6pm. This service is provided with a combination of both in-house and home reporting. Members of the team are contactable either by phone or email at home.
Chest x-rays are reported with an average of 0.7 day turnaround across all referral sources.
Reporting and clinical teams are united in their efforts and provide each other with practical, technical and emotional support. They work closely to guide and support referral and image quality. The clinical team raise any suspicious findings immediately to ensure efficient reporting and optimal patient care.
Nerys Williams, Clinical Lead for Dysphagia and Videofluoroscopy, Adult Speech & Language Therapy Service at Cardiff & Vale University Health Board.
Nerys has shown outstanding commitment and leadership at this difficult time. She proactively applied innovative thinking about how Children's Speech and Language Therapists could support their Adult SLT colleagues. She stepped up and offered her time at short notice to provide the training required which has enabled Children's SLTs to support the nutrition and communication needs of patients with COVID-19 in Ysbyty Calon y Ddraig. She has provided many small group training sessions in swallow screens and feeding/drinking observations to comply with the social distancing restrictions. Her calm encouragement and reassurance has allayed the anxieties of staff who are not used to working in hospital settings. Nothing has been too much trouble. She is our Covid super-hero.
Team Radiology. NHS FIFE
Team Radiology NHS Fife have been directly involved in responding to the COVID-19 crisis so effectively. Working collaboratively as part of the wider hospital team, Radiology have supported hospital flow and the delivery of critical services to those patients requiring diagnostics to direct their clinical management. Diagnostic Radiographers and Radiology HCSW's have been very adaptive to change and have demonstrated a collegiate approach to deliver frontline imaging services, despite being at risk of infection and working under extreme pressure in very challenging clinical environments wearing full PPE.
The team have realigned to meet 24/7 demand for mobile X-rays, urgent CT/MRI/US scanning and Interventional radiology procedures. Sonographers have continued to provide ante natal scanning and urgent general US examinations, while Nuclear Medicine & Breast Imaging continue to provide urgent and essential services. Those who deliver DEXA and routine cross sectional imaging have been redeployed to support emergency radiology imaging and have supported the overall delivery of our services.
All work we do is impossible without dedicated Consultant Radiologists who ensure vetting and reporting processes are timely and well communicated. Admin and Clerical teams front our departments and they have been invaluable and required to make difficult phone calls in advising patients that their imaging examinations have been cancelled or delayed. In a technology based environment, PACS teams and department PAs ensure continued IT support. I know each and every Radiology team member deserves recognition and praise for their contribution both individually and collectively as a team. Now we face a bigger challenge in clearing the backlog, meeting new OP clinic demand and continue to provide imaging for COVID+ and suspected COVID patients. I am sure that the Radiology team will show resilience and determination and deliver on all fronts.
Anne Scott, Occupational Therapist, and the North Ayrshire Adult Community Mental Health Service - Occupational Therapy staff, North Ayrshire Health and Social Care Partnership,
Nominator Christine Breslin, Team Lead Occupational Therapist, says that the Senior Occupational Therapy staff, Anne Scott, Lauren Hendry, Vivienne Goldie, Cheryl Gilmour, at the start of lockdown, moved their clinical, management and supervision roles to their homes full time to reduce footfall in to the building to support nursing colleagues to be in the building to arrange and manage all 2:1 appointments for essential blood monitoring and medication management. OT staff work alongside psychology and a nursing colleague to manage daily triage for the mental health service. This equated to, at times, three mornings per week and involved engagement with people referred as required, allocation and follow up. OT staff have maintained regular contact with their clinical caseload and, for one member of staff, this included a caseload from a development into a local GP surgery. Contact with people was via telephone initially, moving to `Near me` where wanted. Caseloads sit at 25 – 30 people on average. Contacts are daily, weekly, fortnightly as required. OT staff support urgent home visits and assessments where required. They engage through use of new technology (Microsoft Teams) to: • discuss referrals • supervision • support each other • link weekly with line manager • provide direct feedback to the management team on positives, service needs and issues in lockdown and in mobilisation. They have actively engaged in supporting clinical and practical progress in managing clinical input and service development throughout the pandemic. This has involved new ways of working including new technology, different ways of linking with patients, moving group work to 1:1 working. They have engaged in progressing the development of clinical pathways across mental health for people with a diagnosis or emotionally unstable personality disorder.
Susan Griffiths, Occupational Therapist ASD Lead, Poole Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
Nominator Karina Parish, Children's Therapy Team Lead, says that throughout the pandemic Susan has demonstrated incredible resilience in her AHP role whilst facing personal and professional barriers and challenges. As an Occupational Therapist, Susan's role and expertise is to recognise the impact the environment and external factors have on a person's health, wellbeing and occupations. One of the major environmental changes affecting Susan, patients and society is the wearing of face masks. This has adversely affected people who are reliant on facial expression, facial movement and clear sound to communicate effectively. The wearing of masks has created barriers to communication. This not only affects those who are deaf/hard of hearing but others who rely on facial expression to aid communication and understanding e.g. people who have autism or a learning disability. Susan has been instrumental in highlighting the impact of face masks on communication and environmental interactions for her, the patients we work with and for wider society. She has linked with other professionals and organisations to highlight the need and right to communicate for all at government and local levels. Susan has had several magazine articles published and gained a presence on Twitter. https://ot-magazine.co.uk/the-face-mask-barrier/
Susan has highlighted the need for clear face masks and collated information and strategies to support communication which was shared throughout the hospital Trust and more widely. Whilst we wait the delivery of clear masks (which are not yet manufactured in the UK) as a team we are immensely proud of the professionalism shown by Susan and commitment to supporting others as well as facing her own personal challenges to her job role and everyday activities at this time.
Gary Sparkes, paediatric physiotherapy technician, Swansea Bay University Health Board
Nominator Rebecca Kennedy, clinical lead says Gary has worked for the past 21 years in a very niche area - community paediatric physiotherapy. During the pandemic, he was redeployed to a Stroke Ward at one of the main hospital sites. Gary began treating stroke patients, applying his experience and similar techniques previously used with children and young adults with neurological deficits. Gary found the work interesting and enjoyed the challenge of making a difference at this difficult time. Due to the focus on flow and rapid discharge at this time Gary began to continue rehabilitation in the home to facilitate further recovery following discharge. This approach has been very effective in supporting early discharge. Gary had wonderful feedback from patients and their families, built rapport quickly with colleagues and patients and was commended for his adaptability and the difference he made to patients’ function. Gary has received personal cards of thanks from families. Gary's role in redeployment is an excellent example of diversity of skill set and experience.
Jo Northcote, administrator, and the Crediton Community Rehabilitation Team, Royal Devon and Exeter NHS Foundation Trust
Dawn Parker, OT lead and Abi Hall, physiotherapy lead, would like to nominate the whole of the Team. During COVID, we asked them to change their whole way of working and they did so willingly and supported us as clinical leads to make some very significant changes to the way the team works. It was a massively challenging time and their support was amazing. They are a team of highly professional, skilled people all of whom have the patients’ best interests at heart. It’s a privilege to be a part of the team.
Cath Harris and the Community Physiotherapy team, Swansea Integrated Therapies
Nominator Sharon Jackson, team lead physiotherapist at Swansea Bay says she and Cath Harris would like to highlight the wonderful work and care that the physiotherapy team has delivered. The team has demonstrated an adaptive and flexible approach to delivering patient care within the community to prevent hospital admission and continued urgent rehabilitation within Gorseinon Ward and Bonymaen House Care Home. The team has provided interventions face to face as appropriate, in addition to telephone advice and utilising technology e.g. Microsoft Teams & Attend Anywhere. For those shielding and/or unable to access physiotherapy, the team posted home exercise programmes to promote self-management and also signposted to online exercise videos. The team has shown true dedication to patient care and have supported and cared for one another throughout this crisis.
Cath Harris and the Community Physiotherapy team, Swansea Integrated Therapies
Nominator Sharon Jackson, team lead physiotherapist at Swansea Bay says she and Cath Harris would like to highlight the wonderful work and care that the physiotherapy team has delivered. The team has demonstrated an adaptive and flexible approach to delivering patient care within the community to prevent hospital admission and continued urgent rehabilitation within Gorseinon Ward and Bonymaen House Care Home. The team has provided interventions face to face as appropriate, in addition to telephone advice and utilising technology e.g. Microsoft Teams & Attend Anywhere. For those shielding and/or unable to access physiotherapy, the team posted home exercise programmes to promote self-management and also signposted to online exercise videos. The team has shown true dedication to patient care and have supported and cared for one another throughout this crisis.
Elizabeth Newton, Highly Specialist Physiotherapist, and the Medical Respiratory Physiotherapy Team, Bradford Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Nominator, Cordelia Gaubert, clinical specialist physiotherapist, says that the team, including non-respiratory physios deployed to the team, have been at the forefront of CPAP provision to COVID-19 patients outside Intensive Care. This enabled the Trust to focus its Critical Care bed base on patients who needed invasive ventilation, and provided a safe environment for CPAP provision for patients who were not always for escalation of care. They have embraced true MDT collaboration, involving consultants and medical staff from ICU, Respiratory Medicine, Elderly Care, Medical Assessment Unit, and the Emergency Department, plus nursing staff from respiratory wards, MAU and the ED. The team’s knowledge and skills in the set-up, implementation, and weaning of CPAP, NIV and nasal high flow has been vital to the Trust’s management of the pandemic. The team provided all training to the medical and nursing staff in the use of CPAP and NIV, as well as promoting and educating staff and patients on the importance of early proning. Early CPAP, via either SleepCube machines or V60 ventilators, was instigated when RR>30 and SpO2<90% or when 4102 or more was required, alongside early conscious proning.
Data to 01/06/2020 identified 559 COVID positive admissions to BTHFT, of which 29.5% of patients received CPAP, 7.2% were admitted to ICU and 4.8% were ventilated. Following CPAP, 64% of patients with moderate or severe ARDS at presentation were managed on the wards on CPAP and ultimately discharged home.
Figures for ICU admission, intubation and overall hospital mortality are significantly lower than those reported in a large comparator database, whilst ICU mortality was similar (Lawton et al 2020). This is despite Bradford’s population having high levels of co-morbidity, such as diabetes, and ethnicities associated with poor outcome. This physiotherapy team have shown high levels of resilience in difficult and unprecedented times and their work has been invaluable to the Trust and patients.
Sarah Davies and children's occupational therapy, Devon Wide Children and Family Health, Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust
Nominator Jessica Hooper, occupational therapist, says that the OT teams across Devon have worked collaboratively to develop online resources and videos to be shared with parents of children with sensory needs. Parents are not able to currently access the face to face parent workshops that normally run. These support their education, understanding and progress with their children's sensory needs. The videos that have been developed offer sensory information, strategies an advice. This increases the number of people that can access this support at one time and means they can still access it despite restrictions on face to face contact. This keeps parents and professionals safe, but ensures they are getting the help, support and advice they need. They are able to contact an OT to ask questions, discuss and support their understanding while they are accessing the videos. It means that children who are struggling with sensory processing can be better understood and supported by those around them. When implemented the strategies can improve their sensory regulation and reduce the distress they experience through their day
Caroline Hopper and the physiotherapy department at Kingston Hospital
Susan Bocci, orthopaedic physiotherapy practitioner says that the physiotherapy team (including all physiotherapists, orthopaedic physiotherapy practitioners and assistant therapists) really stepped up to the COVID challenge. They gave up their main roles, worked on the wards on critical care and inpatient areas while a sub team worked on calling up all urgent patients from fracture clinics to ensure excellent patient care. We worked with our amazing Inpatient OT & PT Teams, developed a new magazine for staff communication, set up a Chat Room for staff with worries, started a Lobster Thank you box to nominate our teams individual achievements, worked long hours, overtime, weekends and bank holidays with amazing work ethos, flexibility and motivation. We have embraced new ways of working including being in full swing with Attend Anywhere Appointments and its been an amazing time of true team spirit and team working. I am proud to be part of this team of fantastic therapists - always working hard for the best of our patients - and proud to work for Kingston Hospital who have supported us along the way.
Andrea O'Connell and Microbiology Team, Northampton General Hospital
Davis Thomas, divisional director, says the team at have risen to the challenge by working hard to set up, validate and deliver testing for Covid-19 at Northampton General on a 24/7 basis. They have procured new equipment such as an automated extraction platform and new analysers to significantly increase testing capacity. They have liaised with all clinical teams as well as the infection control team to prioritise patient and staff testing based on clinical need and to enable patient flow through the hospital as well as in zoning of various areas in the hospital.
Eleri Wright, lead dietitian, pulmonary rehabilitation team and Post COVID-19 Therapy Information Pack Team at Swansea Bay University Health Board
Covid-19 can affect people in many ways. To complement the one-to-one support patients will receive following discharge from hospital, a group of therapists brought together extensive knowledge, skills and experience to develop a comprehensive self-help guide. Seven allied health professions were among those who have contributed to the new Covid-19 Recovery: Therapy Information Pack, which is available online and as a booklet. It is believed to be the first of its kind in Wales. Using knowledge gained throughout the pandemic they explain in clear terms what patients, may experience as they return home and what simple, practical steps they can take to aid their recovery. People who became unwell with Coronavirus but remained at home can also benefit from the advice as they recover. It is hoped the pack will also act as a handy reference guide for carers, families and fellow health professionals.
- https://sbuhb.nhs.wales/coronavirus-covid-19/coronavirus-covid-19/recovery-info/
- https://bipba.gig.cymru/coronafeirws-covid-19/coronafeirws-covid-19/gwella-o-covid-19-pecyngwybodaeth-therapi/
Covid-19 can affect people in many ways. To complement the one-to-one support patients will receive following discharge from hospital, a group of therapists brought together extensive knowledge, skills and experience to develop a comprehensive self-help guide. Seven allied health professions were among those who have contributed to the new Covid-19 Recovery: Therapy Information Pack, which is available online and as a booklet. It is believed to be the first of its kind in Wales. Using knowledge gained throughout the pandemic they explain in clear terms what patients, may experience as they return home and what simple, practical steps they can take to aid their recovery. People who became unwell with Coronavirus but remained at home can also benefit from the advice as they recover. It is hoped the pack will also act as a handy reference guide for carers, families and fellow health professionals.
- https://sbuhb.nhs.wales/coronavirus-covid-19/coronavirus-covid-19/recovery-info/
- https://bipba.gig.cymru/coronafeirws-covid-19/coronafeirws-covid-19/gwella-o-covid-19-pecyngwybodaeth-therapi/
Nick Dorward, laboratory medicine automation manager and the Phlebotomy Services team at Swansea Bay University Health Board
Nominator Ruth Evans, pathology clinical training manager, explains that the team sits within the Laboratory Medicine Service and as a front line service, it was exposed to potential of high levels of sickness which would impact on service delivery and staff morale. When depleted by staff shielding and sickness, it was supported by a number of medical students with previous phlebotomy experience. The team underwent additional health and safety training and were issued with further PPE. They worked with the infection control team, changing ways of working to keep both the team, and their patients, as safe as possible. Difficulties were faced as some clinics were closed and other hubs put in place, main hospital phlebotomy sites were moved and staff faced new ways of working. Despite these location and delivery challenges, the team united in their approach and have met all demands placed on them to provide this essential service.
Susan Riley, cellular pathology health and safety manager at Swansea Bay University Health Board
Ruth Evans, pathology clinical training manager, says Sue Riley has co-ordinated the pathology response throughout the crisis, working within her own and other pathology disciplines. Sue has ensured the safe preparation of positive Covid-19 samples and the safety of staff. Sue has implemented all health and safety actions promptly, providing a sense of security to her colleagues by sourcing provision of PPE or with social distancing enforcements within the workplace. Sue has excelled, working over and above what could reasonably be expected of her in assisting the mortuary response. With the training team she developed new competencies and training plans for volunteer staff and led on their implementation. She worked with health board, local authority and Welsh Government in the creation of temporary stores, transport links and written plans and training for ‘super surge’.
Anthony Jones, Macmillan occupational therapist, Swansea Bay University Health Board
Joanne Horton, Macmillan AHP Lead says that working as a Macmillan occupational therapist is a dream role for Anthony. Forever enthusiastic in his role and with his patients, Anthony took the same approach when Covid-19 hit. He and the team within which he works have been flexible in their approach to upskilling themselves in non-traditional OT roles, working across teams, wards and specialities, as well as changes in working pattern. Anthony and the team were quick to respond to the needs of our patients, health board and region, whilst supporting each other’s wellbeing (Anthony is also a Wellbeing Champion within his everyday role). They also used their skill sets to make positive change, for example taking a role in supporting fast track discharges on noncancer wards and implementing fatigue management strategies, key for Covid-19 and non-Covid-19 patients alike. Anthony and the team are optimistic about the future. Anthony lives by the philosophy ‘turn fear into courage’.
Lucy Jones, occupational therapist at Betsi Cadwaladr
Nominator Heather McNaught, clinical lead occupational therapist, says that Lucy has been volunteering with Macmillan for the telephone buddies programme. This service provides regular support to people who are living with cancer, many of whom are shielding at home and living in isolation. Lucy has completed this role in conjunction with completing her university studies and commencing her first role as a newly qualified occupational therapist. The occupational therapy service is immensely proud of Lucy and what she has achieved in such a short space of time. She has already shown herself to be a much-valued member of our team. It has been well recognised that it has been an extremely difficult time working in healthcare during the pandemic, but Lucy has shown great resilience and determination to support as many people as possible through her career as an occupational therapist and the much valued volunteering that she does for Macmillan. Thank you, Lucy.
Nicola Joyce, deputy head of podiatry and orthotics and lead podiatrist, and the Diabetes High Risk Diabetic Foot Protection Team at Betsi Cadwaladr (east)
The diabetic foot team manages a high-risk caseload consisting of patients with complex medical histories which are further complicated with active foot disease. All our patients have problems such as complex diabetic foot ulcers, necrosis, gangrene or tissue loss, pre- or post-surgical wounds, neuroarthropathies. During the pandemic we have had to considerably change the way we work but we have maintained a consistent number of patient contacts as failing to do this would undoubtedly lead to hospital admissions and the potential for loss of limb and life). Most of the work has usually taken place in clinic but now, where patients have been shielding or not felt confident to attend clinic, we have organised home visits safely. We have kept in touch with patients via telephone and have a designated telephone number for patients to call if they are concerned and have contacted patients before visiting at home for safety. We have tried to empower patients by giving them the confidence to change their own dressings to minimise district nurses having to visit to reduce transmission risks providing information leaflets and links to short educational films (pocket medic). Patients attending clinic are made to feel safe with adaptations we have made in waiting areas and with PPE. We have been able to support minor injuries who have been contacting the team when patients present with acute foot problems. There are 2 independent prescribers in the team who have worked with their medical supervisor to extend the range of antibiotics they are permitted to prescribe and have also prescribed for non-diabetic patients with soft tissue foot infections. We have continued to support the wards, accepting referrals and giving advice, visiting where required and providing pressure relief for heels of bed bound patents. We have kept in close contact with nursing homes, giving advice and organised visits safely. We have looked after each other and stayed safe.
Neath Children’s Centre paediatric physiotherapy team
Nominator Rebecca Kennedy, clinical lead paediatric physiotherapist, Swansea Bay says that the team were redeployed to the Neath inpatient team to support the rehabilitation and supported discharge of patients during the pandemic. Many of team have spent many years away from the clinical setting, working in a very specialist and niche area of physiotherapy. They demonstrated the flexibility and diversity of their skills and were able to adapt their experience of treating children to offer much valued support and skill to the adult team. Some of the staff had never worked in a hospital ward setting. They are a shining example of skill diversity, flexibility and willingness to step up to support the NHS and the organisations response at this time.
Nicky Wyer and the critical care dietitians, University Hospital Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust
Nominator Andrea Ralph, dietetic manager, says the critical care dietitians are a newly formed team in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Previously critical care was covered by two specialist dietitians, however with the planned rapid expansion there was a clear need to up-skill a new team and adapt to new ways of working. This was led by Nicky Wyer, supported by Sonal Samani (critical care clinical lead dietitian) and Rachel Ball (major trauma and orthopaedic specialist dietitian). This core team developed updated feeding protocols to ensure adequate nutrition provided, without overfeeding patients. They also incorporated different feeding methods to be utilised if the hospital ran out of feeding pumps. The team worked closely with the MDT on critical care to ensure the feeding protocols and the planned ways of working were going to be practical to both support patients and staff. With new protocols in place, the team developed a rota for cover to the expanded units, to ensure staff were not in PPE for prolonged periods of time. They then developed a training programme to up-skill dietitians who had previously not been on critical care, or who had not been on critical care for many years. This programme aimed to keep assessments and reviews of patients efficient and safe, whilst also supporting staff with exposure to a very different working environment and challenging circumstances. The hard work of the core team, together with the enthusiasm and engagement of the wider critical care dietitians ensured that we were ready to manage the peak of admissions to critical care. The team held weekly huddles to share learning and updates which were coming thick and fast. With the slowing of admissions, the team has now started to focus on more ward work, but will retain their skills by working on a rota to ensure ongoing work in critical care. We are also now focusing on post critical care rehab as part of an MDT. What an incredibly adaptable, driven and multi-skilled team!
Avril Black, principal podiatrist, and the community diabetes podiatry team, Southern Health and Social Care Trust
The team have continued to provide services to patients, working across community sites and acute hospitals. Flexible working was key within the team as they looked at new ways of working. Clinics were re-arranged and shielded patients maintained virtual contact with podiatrists via telephone consultations and photographs. Patients received newly designed education packs on wound dressing and wound care advice. The team embraced digital technology enabling a shielding podiatrist to continue vital work from home. Also, our podiatry assistant was re-deployed to the ‘donning and doffing’ area in Craigavon hospital. Author Terry Pratchett sums up the times perfectly; “…. They are strange times, times of beginnings and endings. Dangerous and powerful… These times are not necessarily good, and not necessarily bad. In fact, what they are depends on what “we” are.” The diabetic podiatry team met these challenging times …well done team!
Nicola Pugh, clinical service lead, outpatient therapies and the PHAM team (pelvic health, hand therapy, amputees, MSK), Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust
Nominating my whole PHAM team, led by Sarah Wolujewicz, clinical lead pelvic health physiotherapy, Joelle Chalmer, clinical lead hand therapist, Laura Burgess, clinical lead amputees, Elaine Sheerin, clinical Lead MSK physiotherapy
During the COVID-19 surge the PHAM team demonstrated extreme flexibility, support and resilience. The team were re-deployed and supported many initiatives in the Trust’s response. Outpatient therapy staff that usually treat staff across sites were redeployed to proning teams, Nightingale-Excel, PPE helper roles, ITU buddies, fitmask testers, as well as redeployment in therapy inpatient roles. Those remaining in outpatients altered their ways of working at speed to accommodate telephone and virtual appointments as well as offering input into altered secondary care pathways. They have all been amazing and shown adaptability, transferability of skills and have been professional throughout, despite working far from their comfort zones. The team have pulled together and supported each other and their new team colleagues through a very uncertain time and have been applauded by various members of the Trust for their role in the crisis including inpatient colleagues, therapy and divisional management and patients. It has been a pleasure to be their clinical service lead during this time.
Kathleen Robinson, mortuary & bereavement service manager and her team at Wrightington Wigan & Leigh NHS Foundation Trust
Kate Ardern, director of public health, Wigan Council, nominating, says that the mortuary and bereavement service team have shown outstanding professionalism and initiative in the way they have worked together with our bereavement and registration services to improve and streamline the processes and procedures to ensure deceased COVID-19 patients that passed away in the hospital or local authority were cared for with respect and dignity throughout the time that they were within their care.
Malcolm Birch, director clinical physics and the clinical engineering team at London Nightingale Hospital and Barts Health NHS
Nominator Basit Abdul, healthcare science fellow, NHS England says the clinical engineering team played a critical role in London's response to COVID-19. The team is not only responsible for the 4 hospital sites of Barts Health but also became responsible for the London Nightingale hospital. Through a great dedication from the senior colleagues and tireless efforts from team leads and clinical engineers including volunteer healthcare scientists and industry partners, the CE team received 1000s of new medical devices over a span of few weeks, commissioned, provided technical support and clinical training ensuring patient safety. The equipment includes a huge variety of new devices which were never used before. The CE team is led by Malcolm Birch with Andrzej Jastrzebski and Nirmal Raj, head and deputy head of clinical engineering, Allan Wilkins, governance lead, and Mary Caddies, lead medical device trainer. Simon Ashton, director clinical support services, says: "The CE team are critical to the delivery of high quality services. The Barts CE team have been brilliant at London Nightingale".
Amy Mitchell, professional head of occupational therapy, mental health and learning disabilities, Aneurin Bevan University Health Board
Sarah Morecroft, highly specialist occupational therapist in clinical practice and education, says Amy has been leading the service for the past 2 years and has been an inspirational leader to us all during this time, always putting client needs at the centre of her decision making. When the government restrictions were implemented in March, Amy immediately thought about the clients who would be occupationally deprived and socially isolated as a result of not being able to access the community resources that support their mental wellbeing or for those that needed to shield and would not have family support to help. Amy wanted to ensure individuals knew that we were thinking about them, as well as providing some advice on staying well during the pandemic and providing an opportunity for occupational engagement, pleasure, joy and self-care/ kindness. Amy came up with the idea of a Rainbow Pack that could be delivered to individuals’ doors that contained written guidance, a sweet treat, self-care products and an activity that linked to an individuals’ interests and abilities. The Mental Health and Learning Disability Division fully supported Amy's vision and with the support of other organisations, over 600 packs have been hand-delivered across the Board, with more packs being prepared. The feedback from service users has been heart-warming with individuals and their family members reaching out to say how thoughtful and welcomed the packs have been, and for those that received activities such as a build and paint your own birdbox, the finished products in the garden are a constant little reminder of an achievement that has been made during these uncertain times. The MDT members who have identified clients that would benefit from the packs have also been in contact to say how wonderful it is to be able to give something that shows kindness and that can brighten someone's day, whilst also giving staff an opportunity to feel good about themselves too.
Jenny Brown, secondary care lead and the speech and language therapy adult speech and language therapy team (east), Betsi Cadwaladr
Cara Spencer, head of speech and language therapy (east), says the team have shown immense flexibility and resilience. Many community-based staff (learning disability, mental health and chronic conditions) have rapidly learnt and applied new clinical skills to be deployed to support the acute-based team facing increased hospital demand. As a team, they have developed many ward-based resources to support patients and the wider team communicating, where difficulties are also exacerbated by wearing masks and working in isolation, as well as resources to support decision-making with patients with new swallowing difficulties where full training and usual pathways were no longer accessible. They have done this with absolute dedication and energy, and I am proud to say I'm part of this incredible team.
Jake Hellier, Covid Response Lead Nurse, Royal Surrey NHS Foundation Trust
Razan Altarsha, pharmacy technician, tells us Jake has been visible and proactive as COVID lead nurse - an ideal person to fulfil this role. I have attended PPE training delivered by him, which was very helpful and very simple to understand. He has been proactive across many sites and reactive to the needs of his service. Jake has been dealing with patients and colleagues and brings tears to everybody who sees him in a positive way as they feel they can open up to him and his caring personality. He absorbed all the sadness at the beginning, with compassion and understanding without letting anybody notice. He is a true professional and I am thankful for his skills and kindness.
Cheryl Smith, professional head of service and the podiatry service, NHS Fife
NHS Fife podiatrists have ceased all face-to-face non critical care and, with released capacity, have taken over the treatment of 100 leg wounds from district nursing caseloads in order that they can assume other critical roles. Podiatrists are using their clinical knowledge and skills, their ability to prescribe and their multidisciplinary connections to support these most vulnerable patients in their own homes. Podiatrists are skilled in having good conversations and learning what is most important to patients and their family members, and this person-centred approach to care is proving to be key in successfully building new relationships and confidence.
Children’s speech and language therapy team, Midlands Partnership Foundation NHS Trust
Team leader Paula Simpson tells us that the speech and language therapists and assistant practitioners across North, East and West Staffordshire have risen to the challenge of redeployment with such positivity. They have been an asset to the infection control team locally to support the swabbing of symptomatic Covid-19 patients. They have learnt new skills but have also shared skills helping service users understand the process of swabbing. The support from the infection control team has been excellent and is a great example of teams coming together from different professional backgrounds to support key services in these unprecedented times.
Michelle Angus, consultant physiotherapist and the minor injuries unit at Salford Royal
Victoria Lyle, advanced physiotherapy practitioner, nominates Michelle and her team. As COVID pressures increased and redesign of the emergency department proved essential, Michelle and her team of advanced physio practitioners offered to run the entire minor injuries unit. Working out of the fracture clinic meant ED nursing staff and space was released whilst still ensuring patients received timely interventions. The team see a wide spectrum of ailments from wounds, back pain, fractures, minor head injuries, eyes and suspected DVTs with support only when needed. Two early qualified Band 5 physios have been recruited to enhance patient rehab/discharge plans and optimise flow, providing an amazing opportunity for the start of their career. The team have demonstrated a low but appropriate rate of onward referrals and high discharge rates with one-stop-shop assessment and care provision. This model has been praised by ED and is set to continue for the foreseeable with a patient satisfaction study planned. Advanced physiotherapists working on the front line in ED has already shown to be highly effective. New COVID rules mean this service may have transformed how we treat minor injuries in the future.
Alyson Williams, team lead, critical care physiotherapist with a special interest in pre-habilitation and upper GI, Belfast Health and Social Care Trust
Alyson Williams, team lead, critical care physiotherapist with a special interest in pre-habilitation and upper GI, Belfast Health and Social Care Trust
Carina Loughran, advanced practitioner, nominates Alyson who led a group of physiotherapists and other healthcare professionals in the Nightingale Hospital, Belfast. She brought together a team of very anxious respiratory physios as well as physios from musculoskeletal, rehabilitation, women’s health and community, and upskilled them, giving them confidence and competence to work with acutely Ill COVID patients in ICU and wards. She was inspirational and led by example, ensuring she was available and approachable at all times. She is highly skilled, very motivated and has amazing organisational skills as well has having a massive heart. The team worked together so well under her leadership because of the trust and faith we all had in her guidance. We all worked above and beyond our job to help medics and nurses and other healthcare professionals do their jobs. She deserves recognition for what she has achieved and we want to show her how much she is appreciated by us all.
Operating Department Practitioners, East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust
This team led by Linda Gregson, critical care and general surgery matron, has also been nominated by Gemma Ford who says: ‘The ODPs have been absolutely incredible, being redeployed into intensive care. They have been willing to learn, shown adaptability, resilience and dedication throughout uncertain times and are showing what it means to pull together during this time. For all professionals it is a scary time but to also be working in an area that you are not familiar with is even more scary, and I can only commend them on how they’ve shown strength and courage with the fantastic support of the critical care staff.’
Deb Lowe, imaging manager and the imaging team, Dudley Group NHS Foundation Trust
Jo Horne, senior radiographer, nominating says: ‘The imaging team have been fantastic. At the height of the crisis they were getting chest x-rays done (often portably in full PPE) and reported within 16 minutes. They have constantly adapted their procedures, their shift patterns and the use of the equipment and PPE to the ever-changing requirements set out by the government and the hospital. They have done this cheerfully and with care of the patient foremost in their minds. They continue to work and adapt as we move through the next stage and will be having to change again as we reintroduce our services in accordance with social distancing rules and government advice. We are incredibly proud of them.’
Suzy Schlanker, ultrasound manager, adds her praise: ‘The radiology department put in place an infrastructure which meant chest X-rays were taken, processed and reported on in approximately 16 minutes. They have shown themselves as a close network hardworking team. Often thought of as just a test they have shown the passion and humanity behind the “test”.
COVID-19 Response Laboratory, GOSH NHS Foundation Trust
While fulfilling her role and commitment as an advanced practicing reporting radiographer, Jane has been acting up as the radiology service manager. Jane has been working tirelessly to ensure staff are safe and supported in order to deliver an effective patient-focused service. She has remained visible in her management approach and compassionate.
Haematology, Clinical Chemistry, Blood Transfusion biomedical scientists, NHS Forth Valley
Elan Tsarfati, consultant microbiologist, nominates Gillian Lowe, department manager, haematology/clinical chemistry/blood transfusion and her team:
‘NHS Forth Valley Laboratory Management would like to recognise the outstanding biomedical scientists in haematology, clinical chemistry and blood transfusion for their gallant efforts throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. This highly qualified team adapted their 24/7 working patterns further to meet clinical demand and maintain social distancing in the lab itself. Biochemistry helped clinicians by exponentially increasing blood gas analysis reporting for COVID-19 patients. These test results enable clinical decisions, such as the need for supplemental oxygen, for some of the hospitals sickest patients. Haematology increased their test repertoire to meet the needs of COVID-19 patients. D-Dimers with remarkably short turnaround times now support the entire hospital, allowing the A&E, assessment units and ICU to make rapid clinical decisions about care. Shortly they will roll out factor anti-Xa on site. Every test improves patient management and their overall care. Congratulations team – you are all to be lauded for your phenomenal efforts! ‘
Amy Greaves, physiotherapist, Royal United Hospital Bath NHS Foundation Trust
Nominator Christopher Marley, physiotherapist, Virgin Care, says Amy left her musculoskeletal physiotherapy role temporarily to support the respiratory and intensive care teams in the fight against COVID-19. Using her prior respiratory specialist skills and leadership, she now leads a multidisciplinary proning team and works tirelessly on the frontline of respiratory care including on-call shifts. She's always positive and motivating for her colleagues and towards her patients. She deserves such recognition as this.
Jane Anderson, Radiology Clinical Service Manager, NHS Fife
While fulfilling her role and commitment as an advanced practicing reporting radiographer, Jane has been acting up as the radiology service manager. Jane has been working tirelessly to ensure staff are safe and supported in order to deliver an effective patient-focused service. She has remained visible in her management approach and compassionate.
Martin Maley, Senior BMS, RCI, Red Cell ImmunoHaematology, NHS Blood and Transplant
Nominated by Malcolm Robinson, found of Harvey’s Gang.
Martin continues to lead his team of biomedical scientists in the Red Cell Immunohaematology reference laboratory in Newcastle. They have been dealing with over 200 scientifically difficult samples, identifying underlying antibodies and supplying crossmatched blood for patients in the Northeast that required transfusion support.
Some of the patients were Covid positive and gave some very difficult results to understand and deal with, as they had not seen some of these results before. The samples contained antibodies and antibodies against their own red cells and some had very strong results which hid the underlying antibodies and their potential negative results. During this time to ensure morale was kept high, Martin decided to offer social distance haircuts to colleagues. This was performed outside of the building at social distance with the hair clippers secured to a “stick”! Martin arranged and managed stories and pictures and sponsorship on Facebook raising over £600 for Harvey’s Gang, a charity that his team are aware of and wanted to support particularly at this time as currently there are no Harvey’s Gang tours due to the risk to the young patients attending a hospital laboratory.
North West Ambulance Service NHS Trust’s Community Specialist Paramedic Team
Their clinical lead, Jon Price, nominated by Kieran Potts, community specialist paramedic.
During COVID the team provides: operational responding, Nightingale Hospital staffing, HR assistance with staff risk assessments, remote crew advice, external liaison with provider and system partners, staff swabbing to ensure our workforce are testing for COVID as quickly as possible and developing new ways of working,
As the leader for our cohort of Community Specialist Paramedics, Jon began in his post at the end of last year (2019). He has had immediate positive impact upon our cohort, providing clear and supportive leadership to us all. His clarity, honesty, optimism and kindness is well reflected in our day-to-day practice and we are proud to be led by such an innovative, person-centred and holistic manager. We are hoping to reward his selfless leadership with a nomination, as he himself has suffered great personal loss during COVID-19 but has continued to provide clarity, consistency and supportive guidance. Thank you Jon, we truly appreciate you and the impact you are having, driving the Urgent Care Agenda forward within our Trust.
Paediatric Speech and Language Therapy Opportunity Area Project, Midlands Partnership NHS Trust.
On behalf of the team, Janet Cooper, Clinical Lead SLT, explains that Stoke Opportunity Area commissioned us to deliver a project in schools. These became closed during the COVID-19 period. The majority of our work was training and mentoring staff to support speech and language. We quickly adapted training to deliver e-learning and remote support and have adapted our digital platform to share information for parents.
Advanced Paramedic Practitioner Urgent Care Team, London Ambulance Service NHS
Georgette Eaton explains: ‘Seeing the rise in call volume within the London Ambulance Service, the Advanced Paramedic Practitioner (Urgent Care) programme responded quickly with adaptability, flexibility and safety. Overnight, they adjusted their clinical role to provide telephone consultation to patients who phoned 999. Using skills and knowledge synonymous with advanced practice, they were able to safely assess and refer patients over the phone, ensuring each individual had the right help. The flexibility in their approach and their support for each other (as well as junior colleagues) during this transition was fundamental to the emergency service response across London. They were also innovative in this new model of working, incorporating video consultation into these assessments early on to maximise patient consultation and care. Their positivity, adaptability and ‘can do’ attitude was, and continues to be, outstanding. They are true clinical leaders and their contribution to patient assessment and care in London deserves recognition.
Radiology team, NHS Orkney
Mike Beach, radiology services manager explains: ‘The radiographic team in Orkney is very small and therefore very vulnerable to acquiring COVID-19 as it would have serious effects on dealing the radiographic services on the island. So in early March we contacted 3 agency staff who had worked for us before and invited them up to join us. This was to let us form two teams of 4 working 3 days on and 3 days off across 7 days with 24/7 on-call. Everyone rose to this challenge and I must applaud my team for making this change happen quickly and without dissent. They were all happy to do it even though it impacted on their daily lives. More importantly we stopped each team seeing each other outside work too so as to reduce the risk of infection to each other. It should be noted that if someone in one team got infected then that team would have to self-isolate, while the other team took over - a BIG ask but they were all prepared to do this and still are. With only a very small team any reduction in work force would have enormous impact of delivery of service.
Sarah Wallace, Consultant Speech & Language Therapist, Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust
Nominator Lee Bolton, Clinical Lead Speech & Language Therapist at Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust, says that Sarah has demonstrated outstanding clinical leadership to her profession during the pandemic. She has generously shared her expertise, knowledge and skills in critical care, tracheostomy and adult dysphagia, and has significantly contributed to the development of a number of professional position statements, guidance documents and educational webinars in collaboration with her peers, the RCSLT, Intensive Care Society, and National Tracheostomy Safety Project. Through these contributions, she has been pivotal in supporting SLTs to continue delivering safe and effective care during the pandemic, enhancing the profile and championing the essential role of SLTs as key members of the critical care rehabilitation team on a national scale. Alongside her regular clinical commitments, Sarah has also co-authored international articles highlighting the impact of COVID on multidisciplinary tracheostomy and dysphagia management. The RCSLT COVID advisory group have greatly valued and benefitted from the opportunity to collaborate with her.
Sarah Ogilvie, Senior Specialist Physiotherapist, and the Orthopaedic Outreach Team, Manchester Local Care Organisation, Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust.
Nominator Justine Theaker, consultant, Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust says that the team have supported the emergency and acute care services by providing community outreach for patients attending ED with orthopaedic injuries. The team have been flexible, resourceful and accommodating throughout the COVID period. They have significantly reduced the number of patients requiring admission to secondary care through rapid response to referrals for discharged early from hospital with complex high-risk clinical needs. The team also adapted to reduce the number of fracture clinic attendances by extending their scope of practice with removal of casts, fitting of braces, dressings, liaison with GPs, DNs and progression of patient treatments. The team ensured that optimal care was maintained within the challenging constraints of COVID including shielding and IPC. The team dropped all geographical boundaries ensuring that only emergency orthopaedic patients were admitted to GM hospitals to ease the burden on bed capacity and ensuring positive patient experience with excellent communication across the entire healthcare system. Their exceptional knowledge and experience were invaluable for clinical reassurance of ED, fracture clinic and the acute trauma wards in managing the entire patient pathways, including surgical planning and appropriate consultant review.
Amy Hassan, Integrated Conveyance Avoidance Scheme Project lead, at Dorset Healthcare University Hospitals NHS Trust and Royal Bournemouth & Christchurch Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Nominator, Samantha Forrester, clinical lead OT says that prior to COVID Amy worked as the Clinical Lead Occupational Therapist for admission avoidance services at Royal Bournemouth. During this time Amy was keen to explore reducing conveyance of older people to the emergency department. Amy was given the go ahead to lead on the Project alongside local ambulance services. During COVID, this project was altered by Amy and a community nurse consultant to reflect the increased medical and therapy needs of the service users in the community who were keen to avoid attending hospital. Amy's flexible, reflective and innovative response to the SWAST 111 referrals for patients who have fallen, collapsed and are confused etc. It has resulted in 95.7% of people remaining at home, utilising the appropriate community services identified by Amy and her colleague nurse consultant. This has had a significant impact on the number of ED attendances and has resulted in Amy being recruited into a substantive post to maintain this service in a locality.
Dee Humphris, Fiona Mckeown and the Orthopeadic and Surgery Occupational Therapy Team, Western Sussex NHS Foundation Trust
Nominator James Leahy, occupational therapist, says the team led jointly by Dee and Fiona has been brilliant, creative in being able to upskill team and department members and make them feel confident with mobility aids by providing a master classes for the team and department. The team adapted from seeing elective orthopaedic patients to providing a COVID ITU and critical care step- down service which is a big change in skill set as we do not provide an ITU/Critical care service. It has been highlighted as a success and led to a business case being put forward to create a full-time service. The team have also expanded their digital profile in completing videos on the use of equipment for staff members and to give patients an understanding of the equipment we can provide as we could not access all the assessment areas. They have also produced a video for patients that are attending an elective orthopaedic joint replacements education session explaining the role of the OT and what to expect when in hospital following replacement. The team have also created digital paperwork on PDFs with drop down boxes to gain collateral information, reducing the need for physical paperwork. The team has also been supportive and inclusive to staff that are shielding and working from home to help the team in finding new practices and exploring virtual ways of working. The team has also taken on a new member of staff and had a student on their final placement which they have all taken in their stride to make sure that they are also well supported. I feel the team should be recognised for all their hard work and adaptation in this time with their can-do attitude, resourcefulness, and support for one another, all with outstanding patient care.
Gill Hickman, lead infection control nurse and the Infection Control Team, Royal Surrey Foundation Trust
Nominator Michaela Hoope, infection control nurse, says that this team of just 3.5 WTE Infection control nurses and 1.64 support staff increased their working hours overnight at the end of January 2020, way before the pandemic was declared. They did this due to the COVID-19 workload and the need to adequately support and train Trust staff. The nurses moved to 7-day working with just 48-hours’ notice from mid-March and sustained this until June. They have been visible on all wards daily to help ensure safe placement and care of suspected and confirmed COVID patients. The ICNs educated staff about what PPE was needed in which situations and listened to staff's concerns. The team updated the Trust's COVID action cards on numerous occasions (in line with changes in national guidelines) and ensured that wards and departments had sight of the current cards. The Trust has 1 acute and 2 community hospital sites and community staff. Action cards were written and updated considering all their areas and potential scenarios. The Infection Control team increased the training and education provision offered by them for clinical and non-clinical staff. This was essential and well received by the non-clinical staff who had no experience of wearing PPE. As the number of positive patients has decreased, the Infection Control team is continuing to support services, wards and departments as the Trust endeavours to reinstate services as safely as possible with a good experience for patients and staff. It has not been easy for the team, as everyone seemed to be an expert in infection control and constantly challenged the ICNs on the guidance. The ICNs could not have survived this without the input from many other teams in the Trust. Throughout, the team has been present, accessible, readily available and have coped amazingly with the ridiculous increase in workload that this pandemic has (and continues) to cause.
Gill Hickman, lead infection control nurse and the Infection Control Team, Royal Surrey Foundation Trust
Nominator Michaela Hoope, infection control nurse, says that this team of just 3.5 WTE Infection control nurses and 1.64 support staff increased their working hours overnight at the end of January 2020, way before the pandemic was declared. They did this due to the COVID-19 workload and the need to adequately support and train Trust staff. The nurses moved to 7-day working with just 48-hours’ notice from mid-March and sustained this until June. They have been visible on all wards daily to help ensure safe placement and care of suspected and confirmed COVID patients. The ICNs educated staff about what PPE was needed in which situations and listened to staff's concerns. The team updated the Trust's COVID action cards on numerous occasions (in line with changes in national guidelines) and ensured that wards and departments had sight of the current cards. The Trust has 1 acute and 2 community hospital sites and community staff. Action cards were written and updated considering all their areas and potential scenarios. The Infection Control team increased the training and education provision offered by them for clinical and non-clinical staff. This was essential and well received by the non-clinical staff who had no experience of wearing PPE. As the number of positive patients has decreased, the Infection Control team is continuing to support services, wards and departments as the Trust endeavours to reinstate services as safely as possible with a good experience for patients and staff. It has not been easy for the team, as everyone seemed to be an expert in infection control and constantly challenged the ICNs on the guidance. The ICNs could not have survived this without the input from many other teams in the Trust. Throughout, the team has been present, accessible, readily available and have coped amazingly with the ridiculous increase in workload that this pandemic has (and continues) to cause.
Emma Francis, Deputy Radiology Manager and the Radiographers at Worthing and Chichester Western Sussex NHS Foundation Trust
Nominator Carrie Davidson, radiology manager, says that the team were outstanding in their response to the crisis. They all pulled together to continue to provide a quality service. They altered shift patterns, increased night working and embraced training in areas that were unfamiliar to them. Sonographers and MRI Radiographers supported a temporary on call service to provide 7-day access for ward patients. The reporting radiographers changed their shift patterns to provide a 7-day chest reporting service to enable clinicians to diagnose and treat patients effectively. They are now all working together to restore services to a new normal and volunteering to work extended days and weekends to provide additional capacity to reduce waiting lists. They did this with enthusiasm and professionalism always putting their patients first. I am extremely privileged to manage such a wonderful team of radiographers.
Carrie Clarke, clinical specialist physiotherapist and the learning disabilities physio team in Dorset Healthcare University Foundation Trust
Ginny Boniface, senior clinical lead, nominates the entire LD physio team with two aspects. In March in response to Covid 19, it was noted that priorities needed to change and that patients with neuro symptoms needed to be swiftly discharged from hospital ideally to community settings and a new service was established to meet this need. The Dorset stroke and neuro rehab service was formed and it was highlighted that the LD team had transferable skills which would be an asset to this team. Carrie Clarke, Peter Zsolnai, Magda Stasicka, Daniela Calciu, Chris Harris and Ceri Vosper were redeployed to this team from the 8 April until 12 June. I would like to commend the LD physio team for their effective working in this redeployment. Not only was it a different model of care with different priorities, they also had to adapt to flexible shift patterns, different computer systems and linking with 3 hospital sites. They approached this with positivity and resilience throughout and have reflected that their learning was also of benefit. I also need to commend Heather Felton, Daniela Calciu and Nicky Turner who ensured that the LD service also had an excellent and effective physio service whilst their colleagues were redeployed (Daniela did both).
Supporting Kidney Patients across Wales during COVID 19 - Working Group.
Paul Popham Renal Fund, Kidney Wales, Kidney Care UK, All Wales Health and Wellbeing Reference Group, Welsh Renal Clinical Network, Wales Kidney Research Unit
Leah McLaughlin, research officer, Bangor University says that the Welsh Renal Clinical Network (WRCN) has a long history of collaboration with Kidney Charities in Wales and the three main charities, Kidney Wales, KidneyCareUK and the Paul Popham Fund are represented as standing members of the WRCN Board. In addition the contribution of research provided by the Welsh Kidney Research Unit (WKRU) to the commissioning decisions of the WRCN Board is highly valued, as is the clear focus on health and well-being of patients provided to the Board via the Health and Wellbeing Professionals Reference Group (H&WB PRG) which represents allied health professionals, social work and psychology. As the extent of the pandemic became clear and particularly in relation to the vulnerability of dialysis patients reliant on unit-based dialysis, we collectively recognised the need to ensure that patients received calm, accurate and consistent messaging. Acknowledging that not all patients are comfortable with accessing social media outlets, a small team drawn from each of the partner organisations worked, virtually, to develop a series of newsletters that are aimed at being both informative and reassuring. The newsletters are distributed by the unit managers directly to the patients to read whilst on dialysis and take home with them as a reference document. Feedback has been that the staff have really valued the newsletters as well as it provides an opportunity to interact with patients to support their overall health and wellbeing. The group has produced 4 newsletters to date, available in English and Welsh, with issues 5,6 and 7 in planning and will continue as people with kidney disease continue to live under lockdown across Wales.
Supporting Kidney Patients across Wales during COVID 19 - Working Group.
Paul Popham Renal Fund, Kidney Wales, Kidney Care UK, All Wales Health and Wellbeing Reference Group, Welsh Renal Clinical Network, Wales Kidney Research Unit
Leah McLaughlin, research officer, Bangor University says that the Welsh Renal Clinical Network (WRCN) has a long history of collaboration with Kidney Charities in Wales and the three main charities, Kidney Wales, KidneyCareUK and the Paul Popham Fund are represented as standing members of the WRCN Board. In addition the contribution of research provided by the Welsh Kidney Research Unit (WKRU) to the commissioning decisions of the WRCN Board is highly valued, as is the clear focus on health and well-being of patients provided to the Board via the Health and Wellbeing Professionals Reference Group (H&WB PRG) which represents allied health professionals, social work and psychology. As the extent of the pandemic became clear and particularly in relation to the vulnerability of dialysis patients reliant on unit-based dialysis, we collectively recognised the need to ensure that patients received calm, accurate and consistent messaging. Acknowledging that not all patients are comfortable with accessing social media outlets, a small team drawn from each of the partner organisations worked, virtually, to develop a series of newsletters that are aimed at being both informative and reassuring. The newsletters are distributed by the unit managers directly to the patients to read whilst on dialysis and take home with them as a reference document. Feedback has been that the staff have really valued the newsletters as well as it provides an opportunity to interact with patients to support their overall health and wellbeing. The group has produced 4 newsletters to date, available in English and Welsh, with issues 5,6 and 7 in planning and will continue as people with kidney disease continue to live under lockdown across Wales.
Liz Page and the Radiography Team at Northampton General Hospital
Davis Thomas, divisional director says the radiography team are a shining example of a team that has risen to the challenges of Covid-19. As a team on the frontline, they have pulled together in all aspects to provide a rapid imaging service for all patients during this pandemic. Often working in difficult areas such as the intensive care unit and the emergency department, they have continuously provided a seamless and timely service, enabling good patient care by the clinical teams. They have coped with staff sickness by cross covering without any issues and continue to provide a safe and sustainable service.
Rhian Ham, specialist podiatrist, at Swansea Bay University Health Board
Kathryn Brenton, deputy head of podiatry and orthotic services says that Rhian, already a much loved and dedicated member of our service, has gone over and above to support the team remotely for the last 100 days. Rhian has twice daily posted links to wellbeing support, mindfulness exercises and so much more. Rhian has been the lynchpin in keeping our team spirit up, supporting us to recognise that “it’s okay to not feel okay” and what we can do when things feel overwhelming. Thanks to Rhian’s efforts, all our staff have been able to share experiences which have helped us to become stronger as a team and ironically, much more connected, despite being more physically isolated. Rhian has been our champion during the pandemic and we will never forget how she “held us all together” during the last few months. We all think Rhian is an absolute star.
Keith Owen, mortuary manager, and Mortuary Services at Swansea Bay University Health Board
Ruth Evans, pathology clinical training manager, explains that Mortuary Services sits within the Cellular Pathology Department and provide for comprehensive care of the deceased including post mortems. Their challenge was to develop local capacity to manage the excess number of deaths predicted by Government modelling. A small but highly skilled team of anatomical pathology technicians and support workers created temporary facilities at Morrison, Neath and Llandarcy field hospital and developed a volunteer work force from the Histology Department to provide support on all four sites in Swansea Bay and LLandarcy. Deceased patient transport was developed with emergency planners from the CCS and NPTCBC, with volunteer drivers recruited from the Mid and West Wales Fire Brigade. Yasmin Brown, Lead APT, participated in the inception of a “Care after Death Team” to meet the needs of staff and relatives involved in deceased patient care. This team will remain in place with mortuary, bereavement, patient affairs and chaplaincy representatives.
Clare Ford, physiotherapist, and the Morriston Hospital Staff Wellbeing Area, Swansea Bay University Health Board
Tal Anjum, Consultant Stroke Physician says that Morriston Wellbeing Area was developed to address some of the potential wellbeing needs of our staff. The physio gym was transformed with pictures, poems, lighting, and donated refreshments. A programme of short classes for physical and emotional wellbeing and relaxation were delivered by our own therapy staff. In between sessions the room was available as a place of quiet peaceful refuge. In addition, a courtyard originally for patients was adapted for staff to use as an area for fresh air, recreation such as basketball, football, and a putting hole or to hang a wish on the tree. It has been used widely by staff of all disciplines. Feedback: ‘It’s helping with my sleeping as well.’ I’ve been finding sleeping hard, but this is definitely helping me.’ ‘I really enjoyed it, thought it was a very helpful workout and definitely helpful to release stress and mentally help us with our situation.’
Allison Paterson, superintendent/reporting radiographer and the radiology staff, NHS Lanarkshire
Nominator Elaine Connelly, diagnostic service manager, says: ‘A picture is worth a thousand words’ Hiding in the shadows are a range of radiology staff that appear to have remained unchanged throughout the pandemic. To those on the other side of the lead lined doors it might appear this way. However, at the core of our profession is to work together for a common cause. As armies stand strong, working together as a single unit, we have faced challenges never before faced by our profession. We have had to collimate in our doors, whilst caring for those who need us most, by adapting our technique, increasing our distance and time, enabling more patients to receive our frontline care. Behind every single image obtained has been a human force of dedicated professionals, the numerous faces behind every image is the NHS Lanarkshire Radiology Team including radiographers and consultants to nursing, clerical and support staff who have stepped forward in their call to duty.
Cherith Hall, community dietitian, Southern Health & Social Care Trust
Nominator Emma Givan, team lead dietitian, says that Cherith is always willing to go the extra mile and when the pandemic hit, she continued to do just that. Cherith was re-deployed into the acute Daisy Hill hospital as well as continuing her virtual community caseload. She assisted in establishing critically ill patients on total parental nutrition. She embraced change and the challenges of PPE. More recently in addition she facilitated her first ECHO training video conference on the Regional Nutritional Guidelines for Nursing Homes to care home managers. Cherith is a credit to her profession and the Trust.
Neil Tilston-Roberts, senior occupational therapist and the Heddfan Psychiatric Unit, inpatient occupational therapy team, Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board
Lucy Clarke, clinical lead for occupational therapy, mental health nominates the occupational therapists based at Heddfan unit, who usually deliver assessment and intervention to adult inpatients. They underwent rapid change to provide a service to older persons admitted due to dementia or mental illness, because three wards were repurposed as part of coronavirus planning. The occupational therapists provided essential guidance, risk identification and management advice to the mental health division in making environmental changes to the wards. They ordered essential equipment (such as hoists and shower chairs) needed to facilitate safe delivery of care and guided their adult mental health colleagues in appropriate care and manual handling techniques for the older person. They adapted assessment tools, facilitating rapid review of functional ability with minimal patient contact to facilitate safe rapid discharge. They introduced ‘Who I am’ documents for dementia patients to support person centred care, and individualised activity packs to provide distraction, and meaningful occupation for patients on wards and isolating. Occupational therapists have training, knowledge and skills spanning the life course, physical and mental health concerns and understanding of the impact of social and environmental issues. The occupational therapy team were ideally placed to guide the division in adapting the environment and workforce to meet the repurposing of the unit. They acted with professionalism and compassion to support their multidisciplinary colleagues despite losing several team members who had to shield or change duties due to a personal risk assessment.
Noreen Imran, occupational therapist, Roxbourne Complex: House: high dependency unit, at Central North West London.
Noreen says that everyone worked together as a team when faced with COVID-19 patients, to ensure the best care and treatment was given. All staff are hardworking and ensure high standards are always maintained. The team involves doctors, nurses, OTs, psychologist, health care assistants, activity co-ordinators and an art therapist, all supporting each other to ensure the smooth running of the unit. All staff adapted and supported each other where required. For example, going in to see the Covid positive patient when required and to go out to the shops for patients
Kathryn Bamforth, clinical research team leader and the COVID-19 Upskilling Group, Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust
Between 1st April and 5th May 2020, the COVID-19 Upskilling Group was established: a small group of 6 staff including AHPs and nurses with links to the education and research and development departments as well as representatives of the community teams and trust operations. The aim was to quickly create and deliver bespoke training and competency frameworks to enable staff to be reassigned to unfamiliar clinical areas. 741 staff completed newly-designed training packages on vital signs, identifying the deteriorating patient, basic hygiene care, basic life support and patient manual handling through a mixture of virtual and socially distanced face-to-face sessions. Competency frameworks were written to help orientate AHP staff into the acute and community clinical setting and complete basic wound care. Additional training was arranged for podiatrists to apply compression bandaging, thereby minimising the need for multiple contacts from health professionals. The new resources have now been uploaded onto a specific page on the Trust intranet for ease of access and to support individual training records. With the support of the Upskilling Group, 100 AHPs were reassigned during the initial COVID-19 response; learning additional skills in patient care or working in completely new roles such as staffing the "shielding hub": contacting patients in the most vulnerable group to ensure they had food, medicines etc. The Upskilling Group was particularly aware of the impact of reassignment on staff wellbeing and created guidance to support additional training needs which encouraged regular communication between the reassigned staff member, their substantive and new line managers.
The ALAC super - vizor team at Betsi Cadwaladr (east)
Gareth Lloyd-Hughes, head of podiatry and orthotics, tells us: ‘Friday 27 March: very early days of COVID-19, our Band 5 orthotist spots on social media that part of England was already experiencing issues obtaining PPE and some were making their own visors. Monday 30 March: I asked our orthotics technical in ALAC lab Wrexham Maelor to look at how we could make visors in case needed, and by the end of the day the team had working prototypes that could be made quickly, safely and in large numbers. Creative sourcing of materials required via request to local schools, businesses and NHS departments were met with amazing engagement. I relayed this to the senior management team who then fed back immediate interest as there was an acute need for visors for front-line staff, we were asked, once signed off by infection prevention, to produce in large numbers for distribution. By then end of that week, the team who had never seen a medical visor before, were making hundreds a day and these were provided immediately to front-line staff. This was then cascaded to the other 2 areas and shared virtually with other Welsh health boards as a standardised production SOP to great positive feedback. This continued very successful for some 5 weeks until a formal supply from an external company we re-established. This proactive real time galvanisation of a creative and inspired team did nothing short of potentially saving many lives. ‘
Louise Greenwood, conventional imaging lead and Team Radiology NHS Highland
Morag Howard, radiography service manager, tells us that the team have demonstrated immense flexibility by adopting new working practices to maintain patient and staff safety during the pandemic. The entire workforce from all Highland radiology departments across multiple sites have pulled together to implement change by undertaking new roles and working different shift patterns to provide an efficient, safe and caring service to patients. The whole team have displayed compassion to support one another both in person and virtually to keep spirits raised in these challenging times – the courage shown has been humbling. Closer bonds have been forged with other healthcare teams to embrace innovative ways of working to benefit patients and staff. Thank you Team Highland Radiology, you are all much appreciated! Keep up the great work!
Paediatric speech and language language therapy team at Swansea Bay
Sue Koziel, lead for paediatric SLT services says: ‘We very proudly want to nominate Gemma Roblin, Emily Gough, Bobby Foley, Cerys Lane, and Stephanie Blanks, our paediatric speech and language therapists deployed to Gorseinon Community Hospital. The first to volunteer after basic HCA training, they found themselves very much on the front line supporting nursing care. We received regular feedback that they were a fantastic addition and were working very well with the whole team there. It was gratifying to hear the appreciation expressed by the ward Matrons for their commitment, adaptability and professionalism in what was a very challenging time on the ward. They truly demonstrated our values. If we were to face similar pressures again we are confident they could support not only the work of the wards but also other team members with their skill set and experience. They are equipped to hit the ground running.
Laura Guilfoyle, highly specialist physiotherapist and the mental health physios, Mental Health Services for Older People, Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust
Helen Caldwell, AHP lead, tells us that Laura quickly and effectively turned a team of mental health physios into a respiratory on-call team for our isolated COVID-19 patients. Some of our physios hadn’t done respiratory for 15 years but wholeheartedly threw themselves into additional training and self-directed learning to provide a service for our poorly patients. The work of Laura and the physios within the team show just how adaptable they are and how willing they were to put themselves in unfamiliar situations to provide outstanding care for patients and support for our other mental health colleagues dealing with this unprecedented physical health challenge.
Laura Guilfoyle, highly specialist physiotherapist and the mental health physios, Mental Health Services for Older People, Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust
Helen Caldwell, AHP lead, tells us that Laura quickly and effectively turned a team of mental health physios into a respiratory on-call team for our isolated COVID-19 patients. Some of our physios hadn’t done respiratory for 15 years but wholeheartedly threw themselves into additional training and self-directed learning to provide a service for our poorly patients. The work of Laura and the physios within the team show just how adaptable they are and how willing they were to put themselves in unfamiliar situations to provide outstanding care for patients and support for our other mental health colleagues dealing with this unprecedented physical health challenge.
Staffordshire University healthcare science apprentices, in NHS and PHE laboratories across England
Ian Davies, healthcare science course leader at Staffordshire University says: ‘Our 75 healthcare science degree apprenticeship students are all training to become biomedical scientists and are employed within hospital and PHE pathology laboratories across England, as far afield as Hull and Plymouth. Since the start of the pandemic, these students have been at the front line of the diagnostic response to COVID-19, working around the clock to increase COVID-19 testing capacity or ensuring that essential diagnostic services to support other urgent clinical care are maintained. Many of them have taken on extra shifts, transitioned to 24/7 working, or have stepped up to support teams in other departments to support this response, alongside continuing their university studies. For trainees at the start of their biomedical science career, their commitment, resilience, and dedication has been amazing, and we are so proud to be part of their development as the agile and committed scientific workforce of the future.’
ONCALLbuddy, Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust and North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust
Nominator Abigail Greenwell, respiratory physiotherapist at Royal Free London tells us that physiotherapists, Stephanie Mansell and Iain Loughran partnered to create ONCALLbuddy. This app is designed for physiotherapists and other healthcare professionals as a teaching aide, providing in your pocket information on conditions, assessment, treatments and contraindications. The app was downloaded 8,000 times within the first two weeks and has attracted global interest. The app has been recognised as vital in the education of healthcare professionals stepping into respiratory and critical care areas. Health Education England have sponsored the project allowing Stephanie and Iain to more rapidly develop the app. Download the app from: ONCALLbuddy.co.uk
Caroline Thompson, section manager, and the microbiology lab team of biomedical scientists and MLAs, NHS Borders
The team has worked tremendously hard during the pandemic to continue to provide a routine service and introduce two different systems for COVID-19 PCR testing. We previously had little experience in PCR testing but have, with the support of colleagues in Lothian, introduced both a rapid test and a batch test. It has been very challenging for a small lab in a rural district general hospital to introduce new equipment and verify it to required standards whilst still maintaining a routine service. The team have worked really hard with loads of enthusiasm and a solid commitment to providing a service which best meets the needs of clinicians enabling a quick turnaround time so that patients and infection control can be better managed. We have changed our working pattern and introduced an extended working day in response to clinical feedback. We are in the process of recruiting and training additional support staff to allow us to maintain this service long-term and respond to changes in national testing programmes.
N.B. Photos show Specialist Biomedical Scientist Louise Johnston performing COVID testing on the Cepheid GeneXpert,
Ed Williams, physiotherapist, East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust
Gemma Ford, nominating says: ‘Ed has been redeployed onto the COVID wards from his position as a senior physiotherapist within the neuro team. He has been a solid figure working hard with his team to ensure fantastic rehabilitation of these patients using effective resources and receiving wonderful feedback from patients. He has also been a forward thinker and effectively implemented conscious proning within his team which is having a significant benefit, preventing deterioration and calming patients. Not only clinically has he been outstanding but he is great at boosting team morale despite having had to postpone his wedding to his fiancé who is a nurse working in the middle of this pandemic also. He is a pleasure to work with and doing a fantastic job. Thank you Ed!’
Jenny Glynn, speech and language manager, and the speech and language therapists, Dudley Group NHS Foundation Trust
GOSH Virology, GOSH NHS Foundation Trust
When COVID was initially identified as a potential health emergency, Tanja Rockenbach, virology laboratory manager and the team rapidly researched PCR based tests and validated both a rapid test as well as incorporated the COVID PCR into the routine respiratory panel. They then implemented this for diagnosis of GOSH patients as well as children from other hospitals. These tests were more sensitive than the PHE test resulting in an improved diagnostic yield. Having a validated rapid PCR has enabled us to provide optimal diagnosis particularly with children with inflammatory syndrome post COVID enabling recognition of this disease and opportunities to develop optimal therapy. To ensure a 24/7 service, staff were taught to run the rapid PCR out of hours, and staff came in to work Saturday and Sundays to ensure a 7-day service. These healthcare scientists demonstrated expertise, team working and outstanding dedication to ensure children were rapidly diagnosed and treated.
Kimberly Mather, physiotherapist, Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board
Nominator Caroline Benson, deputy head of service, says Kim has worked over and above throughout COVID-19. She has taken on many responsibilities without any hesitation, including all the fit mask testing and establishing the equipment needed early on in the process. Kim has led one of our 24-hour proning teams and is the only Band 5 to do so. She has guided and reassured her team who have been redeployed into the new roles.
Operating Department Practitioners at NHS Nightingale London
Mary-Anne Thompson, ODP at the London Clinic nominates the whole ODP team. She asks: ‘Who has heard of ODPs? - practically no-one! ODPs became a central part of the intensive care unit team at NHS Nightingale - and intensive care doctors and nurses know exactly who ODPs are and what they do now for the first time. ODPs from around the country answered the call to work in the intensive care unit. Normally found in operating theatres in surgery, anaesthetics and recovery assisting anaesthetists and surgeons to look after surgical patients the ODPs quickly adapted and were part of the resuscitation teams, intubation teams, CT and dialysis transfer teams as well as training ITU nurses on the anaesthetic machines and a myriad of other activities to support the doctors and nurses in providing the best possible care to our patients there. ODPs were a central part of the intensive care team and it was the first time many doctors and nurses had come across ODPs - they know who we are and what we do now.
Jack Price, co-lead ODP, says that the ODPs that volunteered to work at the NHS Nightingale were an integral cog in the machine. They were part of the airway team, arrest team and transfer team, but they did much more. They were troubleshooting wherever possible. For example, anaesthetic machines were the main type of ventilators available. These machines look very alien to most people, but the ODPs educated whoever they could so more people felt at ease using them. There are too many other examples to list them all, from filter changes to blood gases.
Gary Braesyde, lead ODP, says: As an ICU matron at the Nightingale, I built this fantastic team who volunteered to work within an ICU setting and did not refuse any tasks of them during the last 7 weeks.
Mark Hellaby adds: ‘As a group of strangers we came together, into a new role, on a new site and supported the set-up of the hospital kit and provided and developed a service supporting patients and staff. Saad Shahab, now back as an ODA at Chelsea and Westminster hospital, explains that they worked as an amazing team, setting up the hospital and managing it from inception.
Jamie Jones comments that the ODPs have been central to patient safety while they are on ventilators and anaesthetic machines. The team have trouble-shooted many problems, ensuring patients receive the best standard of care. They’ve also been key members in the resuscitation team providing advanced life support. ODPs are generally not very well known but their title and role should be better advertised.
Paediatric Speech and Language Therapy Team, SMILE project MPFT Team
Our preventive project to work with children at high risk of speech/language delay by providing face to face group support was not possible due to Covid-19 so we adapted the service to individual telephone contact weekly and accompanying e-learning activities. Take up has been excellent and parental feedback really positive-adapting in adversity.
Paul Chapman, AHP Return to Practice Lead, Health Education England
Nominated by Beverley Harden AHP lead, HEE.
Beverley says: ‘Unswerving commitment to returning hundreds of AHPs and HCS back onto the HCPC register, Paul has single handed driven Return to Practice for both professions groups against all adversity to ensure that this work was successful. The following national government project has established the success of HCPC RTP. Paul now steps away from the project with the appointment of @NatashaPisarski. His significant and sustained commitment to the project needs to be recognised across our systems.
Douglas Etheridge, Head of Clinical Technology, Radiotherapy Physics Treatment Planning, Swansea Bay Health Board, South West Wales Cancer Centre Team
Douglas and his Radiotherapy Physics Treatment Planning team led the change, almost overnight, to reconfigure the delivery of breast radiotherapy from 15 daily visits to 5 daily visits to improve women's experience. This change was based on a clinical trial that the South West Wales Cancer Centre had been heavily involved with 5 years ago.
ARBI Unit, rehabilitation assistants, activities co-ordinator, service manager and clinical lead (OT) at Leonard Cheshire.
On behalf of the team, clinical lead Naomi Brown says: ‘The Alcohol Related Brain Injury Unit opened in January 2020 as the only such rehabilitation unit on the island of Ireland. Unfortunately, lockdown applied shortly after opening, limiting the planned rehabilitation activities. Our team of rehabilitation assistants, activities co-ordinator (under OT Lead), and service manager, had to get creative with their biopsychosocial rehabilitation provision to comply with lockdown and service user need.
We have offered:
• PPE pamper sessions (to encourage relaxation and good mental health),
• outdoor tai chi and physiotherapy sessions (to ensure physical activity and a sense of community while maintaining social distancing),
• Skype sessions with NOK (maintaining social contact),
• In unit Skype quizzes and bingo (offering group, cognitive activities while distancing)
• Prompted ADL’s through resident participation in household disinfecting,
• Social Distancing challenge tournament (individual physical and cognitive tasks completed by all residents and pitted against one another) • Additional, temporary dining room for people to eat together but socially distanced.
Healthcare Science Education Team, Great Ormond Street Hospital Team
Nominated by Elaine Cloutman-Green, lead healthcare scientist
Anthony De Souza, healthcare science practice educator and the healthcare science education team at GOSH have done many amazing things during the COVID-19 pandemic. They have particularly gone above and beyond to support the establishment of a new workstream which enables adult testing of staff and community samples to support not just the Trust but the wider STP. This has included leading on rota organisation and training to enable researchers to be seconded into the Trust to run the service. It has also included supporting clinics to have these swabs taken, ensuring that they have appropriate testing equipment and information to support effective safe sampling. Despite none of the team being employed as virologists, they have gone above and beyond working across boundaries to ensure that this novel model could be rapidly established for the benefit of staff and the wider community.
Belinda Gorell, senior clinical scientist, Velindre University NHS Trust
Belinda is a clinical scientist specialising in diagnostic radiology and radiation protection. During the COVID-19 crisis, Belinda has played a pivotal part in delivering safe and effective radiology services at the Dragon’s Heart hospital in Cardiff. During this difficult period, Belinda provided a leading role in commissioning new unfamiliar mobile X-ray equipment to ensure it can be brought into clinical use quickly and safely. In addition, Belinda designed the radiation protection requirements for a CT facility in the field hospital and led on commissioning the first in UK fully mobile CT Scanner with little preparatory time. This has required significant scientific input and close collaboration with other healthcare professionals to bring the scanner to clinical use so that it can benefit the COVID-19 patients needing CT imaging. This is a huge achievement in such a short space of time and shows her dedication as a clinical scientist to the profession.
Lee Bolton, Clinical Lead Speech and Language Therapist, Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust
Nominator Anita Smith, Consultant Speech and Language Therapist, East Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust says that Lee has been a constant support for all speech and language therapists nationally. He has led discussions and gathered relevant evidence for the profession to support the view that swallow assessments are Aerosol Generating Procedures (AGPS). This evidence has been used by the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists (RCSLT) to lobby PHE to reclassify their list of AGPs. His work supported SLTs to gain access to the required PPE, no doubt reducing risk of transmission and enabling a sustainable, confident workforce throughout the pandemic. Lee has developed a risk matrix for PPE use which has been published by RCSLT. Lee was published as key author in IJCLD “Aerosol generating procedures, dysphagia assessment and COVID‐19: a rapid review,” which is being considered by the Oxford group. Lee is committed to the profession: through building the evidence base he has provided comprehensive accessible information to influence local decision making.
Lynn Butson, Superintendent Radiographer and the Plain Film Radiographer (plus) Team, Queen Alexandra Hospital, Portsmouth.
Nominator Gillian Simmons, Superintendent Radiographer, says that during the height of the pandemic the demand for mobile radiography at QA rose from about 10 to over 70 per day. Not only that but the infection control requirements meant that most mobiles had to be completed by two staff together to try and reduce the time spent on each one - so that they could get on to the next. They were attending ITU and other Covid wards multiple times a day changing PPE in and out of every situation. They were right on the front line in ED with all the patients attending requiring chest imaging. In theatres they were now fully PPEd and not allowed to leave until the cases were finished. At one stage theatres staff were requiring them to shower in Hibiscrub after every case. During all of this not only did the whole team of 70 departmental radiographers (regardless of grade) flex their duty times to cover increased activity throughout the day and night but were joined by staff deployed from mammography and nuclear medicine who (in some cases) had not done plain film for some years. Through all of this not one of these plain film (+) radiographers acquired the virus although some had to self-isolate to be checked out. The most impressive thing is that in spite of the fact that they were putting their own lives at risk and also the lives of their loved ones that they were going home to each night/morning; in spite of the fact that they were working short notice late, early and night shifts; without exception they turned up to work and did it - day in day out - they all went above and beyond for our patients and supported their colleagues at work. Our sickness levels were the lowest they have ever been - people came to work and worked hard. We must not forget that we are supported by a stalwart assistant and admin team - they worked alongside throughout and joined forces going out on the mobile imaging to help the decontamination. This is a 100 strong team - and they have all been absolutely fabulous. I feel truly humbled.
Jenny Congdon, occupational therapy team lead and Occupational Therapy Integrated Community Therapy Services, Swansea
The Team has continued to assess and provide intervention to clients throughout the pandemic. Referrals have been screened and, where appropriate, accepted for OT assessment and intervention. We have continued to provide support to the most vulnerable members of the community to enable them to remain living at home and to prevent hospital admission or admission to a care home wherever possible. Most of the has worked from home during this period. The Service has also supported the rapid discharge of patients from hospital to free up bed capacity in acute hospitals and OTs have then devised reablement programmes to promote rehabilitation for the person to achieve their maximum level of independence. This has then facilitated the reduction of packages of care thus enabling carers to continue to support more people coming out of hospital. The OTs have also provided input to facilitate early discharge from our Rehabilitation ward. To enable continued assessment, OTs have embraced new remote means of assessment such as using Attend Anywhere but have also continued to undertake face to face assessments where essential whilst wearing full PPE. The team has worked jointly with other members of the multi-disciplinary team including physiotherapists, social workers, district nurses and carers. More recently they have started to re-open the service to more routine enquiries but remain focussed on providing a service to those with the greatest need. Throughout this period the team has remained committed to providing the best service and have shown themselves to be willing to be flexible and willing to adapt to meet clients' needs in this unprecedented time.
Charlotte Drinkald, occupational therapist, and the Gorseinon Hospital Occupational Therapy team at Swansea Bay University Health Board
Nominator, Alice Mayo, physiotherapist, says all in Gorseinon hospital especially the therapy teams have worked incredibly hard during this time. The occupational therapy team made up of Charlotte, Tom, Georgia, Rhian and Julian have done an amazing job facilitating discharges for a huge number of patients with complex needs whether physical or social. With the COVID outbreaks on the wards, it has been extremely difficult to work in PPE with physical tasks.
Nicola Davidson and the dysphagia training team at Dorset Healthcare NHS Trust
Nominator Luisa Mellish, service manager for Dorset Adult Community SALT team, explains that the dysphagia team delivered classroom -based training to catering staff and staff from wards, nursing homes and residential homes amongst other areas, training them in dysphagia awareness and assistant practitioner level. When COVID hit they were unable to deliver training via face to face classroom methods and so had to change their ways of working very quickly. They developed a workbook and distributed this quickly which will be followed by a virtual workshop. To date they have had sent over 100 workbooks out and have shared this training with other NHS trusts and services to ensure that dysphagia training remains well managed in healthcare.
Rachel Westwood, acting chief pharmacist, and the Pharmacy Team at Northampton General Hospital
Davis Thomas, divisional director, says the Pharmacy team are a great team that has risen to the challenges. As a team on the frontline, they have provided a fantastic service to all patients especially in relation to treatments for Covid-19. They have been actively involved in the various trails such as the Recovery Trial for Covid-19 and have enabled Northampton General Hospital to be a high recruiting site to these trails. They are working in difficult areas such as the intensive care unit and the Covid positive wards yet continue to offer a high quality and timely pharmacy service. They have coped very well with staff sickness by covering colleagues without any issues and continue to provide a safe and sustainable service.
Catherine Morgan Edwards and Amy Griffiths, nutrition nurse specialists, at Swansea Bay University Health Board
Carol Brock, deputy head of nutrition and dietetics, says that due to COVID-19, the insertion of PEG and RIG tubes was temporarily suspended within the Health Board, resulting in more patients requiring NG feeding tube insertion and support. Many of these patients needed NG tube insertion at home and emergency support to manage their feeding tubes, outside of usual working hours. In response to the rapidly changing needs of our patients, Catherine Morgan Edwards and Amy Griffiths, nutrition specialist nurses, demonstrated exemplary leadership skills in supporting new and existing ward staff to correctly manage all types of enteral feeding tubes. Cath delivered a series of video training sessions for dietitians, allowing them to support ward-based staff with enteral feeding tasks and to feel confident when using different feeding routes. The impact of Cath and Amy’s passionate efforts has been to keep patients out of hospital and reduce demand on emergency departments by inserting NG feeding tubes within the community, working across seven days to meet patient needs. They also worked to ensure our ward-based colleagues have the resources and skills to help support some of our most vulnerable citizens.
Heidi Maggs, laboratory medicine service manager, and the Laboratory Medicine team at Swansea Bay University Health Board
Ruth Evans, pathology clinical training manager, says that the team, consisting of drivers, healthcare support workers, biomedical scientists, clinical scientists and consultants has worked tirelessly behind the scenes during the crisis. They have been processing Covid-19 positive samples in the laboratory, putting numerous measures in place to protect their staff. The Sendaways and Logistics team, led by manager Alison Phillips, looked at the logistics of supporting the field hospital and had to consider sample stability, result turnaround time and the timely transportation of pathology specimens. The new collections from the field hospital were to be in addition to the existing schedules and saw the existing team of 10 couriers bolstered initially by volunteers from within Laboratory Medicine, and later by furloughed Swansea Council staff. All volunteers had laboratory tours and training plans including training to carry blood products in an emergency, for the blood transfusion department.
Rebecca Saltmarsh, clinical lead psychologist, and the Facing the Challenge Team, at Swansea Bay University Health Board
Clare Trudgeon, consultant clinical psychologist explains that Facing the Challenge is a small team working with children and young people with learning disabilities whose behaviour challenges others. The current situation has had a huge impact on the wellbeing of these families, as children have been unable to attend school and many of their support services or coping strategies are unavailable to them. The resulting stress can be witnessed in children’s behaviour becoming increasingly challenging, which in turn places additional pressure on families. While some FTC team members were redeployed into other areas, remaining team members worked hard to meet the families’ needs by offering behavioural and emotional support consultations and creating general and bespoke resources. In the first 3 months of the crisis, the team acted upon 60 referrals, some have been one-off while others have required follow-ups or on-going support. The consultations and resources have been well received by families and referrers.
Amy Stops, occupational therapist and the Cardiff Community Learning Disability Team at Swansea Bay University Health Board
Nominator Jenny Drage, speech and language therapist says that team have been doing some exceptional work to support service users with learning disabilities during this difficult and challenging time. The team have found new and creative ways of offering support and going above and beyond their normal job role! Of particular note is the website created and led by the occupational therapists and physiotherapists, with input from the whole multi-disciplinary team. This website offers support and activity ideas for our service users of all abilities through videos, activity sheets and information. It has a wealth of information for activity ideas and supporting service users’ wellbeing. This has been an extremely challenging time for many of our service users with a large majority of them having to shield, further restricting what they were able to do. The team really stepped up to this challenge and created a website that is added to weekly. There is a badge system for service users and families/carers to work out which activities are most suitable for them. There are numerous activity ideas for all abilities ranging from yoga type exercises, cookery, sensory activities, gardening, advice in supporting mood and wellbeing, Singing and Signalong, through to making dog toys. The website can be found at: ldcardiff.weebly.com and there is also a Facebook page.
Alison Anderson, mortuary services manager and the mortuary services team, NHS Lothian
Nominator David Dorward, consultant histopathologist and senior clinical research fellow, says the pandemic has caused unprecedented challenges in many areas of the hospital but with a rising death toll, the NHS Lothian hospital mortuary service has been placed under significant pressure. This has principally been through a substantially increased workload, a need to rapidly increase body storage capacity, altered working practices, and the challenges of staff absence. Not only have the whole team risen to tackle the tasks successfully but they have also recognised and responded to the need to establish and run a high-risk COVID-19 post-mortem service. A joint programme of work between NHS Lothian and the University of Edinburgh has established a COVID-19 post-mortem programme to deliver detailed post-mortem examinations on patients who have died from the disease. This is both to provide families with more information about the death of their loved one but also to help clinicians and scientists understand more about COVID-19. This work could not have been undertaken without the cheerful willingness of the whole mortuary team to voluntarily take on an additional workload, being willing to work out of hours both late into the evening and over weekends as well as the additional risk of working for long periods of time in a high infection risk environment. Their professionalism, enthusiasm, and determination to work within the broader clinical and scientific team to help both individual families and the larger clinical and research community during this challenging time has been a privilege to be part of.
Dr Panos Pantelidis, divisional manager, infection and immunity, and Dr Alison Cox, specialist scientist, North West London Pathology
Nominator Claire Kennedy, communications manager, says that Panos and Alison have both led and inspired their colleagues through a number of challenges since their team began providing testing for Covid-19. Theirs was the first, or one of the first, NHS laboratories to have the test ready for use. Their team spent many hours in the lab (over and above their core hours) making sure the test was validated and worked as expected with results that could be relied upon. Panos and Alison along with their team have worked tirelessly to support their colleagues working on the front line to save lives. They collectively used their skills and years of experience to implement a viable solution using their knowledge as experts in their field to make a difference.
Tina Owen and the children’s occupational therapy team (east) Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board
The team comprises occupational therapists, technical Instructors and admin support. Together they cover community services in schools, clinics and out patients. During the crisis, all team members have worked at pace to redesign the service and look at new ways of working with children in order to be able to maintain services. They have worked together showing their flexibility and adaptability during these challenging times while maintaining team support and spirit. With the same professionalism and willingness, several team members have received additional training to work within different clinical areas. The same positive approach enables them to face a new working life in the next phase of COVID-19, sharing their ideas and creativity whilst maintaining the child at the centre of all decisions. We are extremely proud of the team. Thank you.
Gill Currie, paediatric occupational therapist at NHS Lanarkshire
Nominator Louise Gibson, paediatric dietitian says that when lockdown started nurses immediately came to work on the neonatal unit caring for premature infants, having never done this before. During this time Gill provided support to the nursing staff on the important aspects of a paediatric OT and how they work with infants and their families to allow them to reach developmental potential.
Sharon McClenahan, OT technical Instructor, mental health, South Eastern Health and Social Care Trust
Nominator Clare Sheridan-Henry, OT lead for mental health services, says Sharon deserves recognition for her dedication to supporting the inpatients in Ward 12 Lagan Valley Hospital during COVID-19. On her own volition she endeavoured to solve the problem of doing patient personal laundry which the Trust was unable to sustain due to COVID-19. Sharon sourced laundry facilities in another Trust premises and collected, laundered and returned clothes to patients on a daily basis to ensure their dignity was respected and that they did not have to resort to wearing disposable pyjamas. She also willingly exposed herself to increased risk of contracting COVID by undertaking daily errands for Inpatients to ensure they had access to comforts such as latte, snacks and newspapers.
Sharon also went above and beyond her usual OT duties by facilitating discharges for vulnerable patients; driving them home and ensuring they had all essential supplies to stay safe and well. Sharon is a star and I am very proud to have her in my team.
Alyson Williams, lead physiotherapist, Team Red & Blue, Belfast Health and Social Care Trust,
Team Red & Blue were an inspirational group of physiotherapists and other AHPs who came together. They worked hard to upskill and deliver compassionate care to our COVID-19 patients. They were quick to work outside their skill set offering support and help to our nursing colleagues. I am such a proud team lead of each and every one of them. #ourworkfamily, #AllInThisTogether
Jennifer Britz, team lead and the integrated hospital occupational therapy team, Aneurin Bevan University Health Board
Hannah Henson, occupational therapy service manager, praises the team’s attitude of ‘can do’ and ‘how can we help’ which has been incredible and outstanding. As a team they have shown adaptability, flexibility and resilience in working in clinical areas that they don’t normally work in, for example being part of a proning team in ITU and carrying out roles that they wouldn’t normally undertake. The team stepped up and stepped in, supporting nursing colleagues daily to provide essential patient care. As a team they found great strength in supporting one another when inducting, educating and working closely with redeployed OTs who do not normally work in a hospital environment. They provided these OTs with reassurance, increased support and a listening ear when concerns were highlighted. This was all carried out whilst the team experienced constant, significant daily changes, considerably reduced staffing levels and had their own concerns to process. During this period the team continued to prioritise the needs of their patients first and foremost, expediting discharges in order that bed flow could be maintained, and patients’ wishes carried out.
Liz McKinney, head of speech and language therapy (centre) and the paediatric speech and language therapy team at Betsi Cadwaladr
Cara Spence, head of speech and language therapy (east), says that the team were quickly identified to be re-deployed into roles far removed from their usual clinical roles. At a time when they have needed also to maintain contact and remote support with some of the most vulnerable children in our population, they have taken on roles as generic ward TIs, health care support workers, Test, Track and Trace, field hospital receptionists, and GP clinician assistants, amongst others. Their flexibility, energy and pro-active approach has been extraordinary, and we are truly proud.
Arafat Mulla, ST3 (specialty training 3), Blackpool Victoria Hospital
Rachael Duckworth tells us that Arafat has worked tirelessly throughout the epidemic. He set up the Covengers (a respiratory team of medics, ACPs and nurses). Providing medical expertise, knowledge, education and much needed support; working to set up the IT, medical rotas and much more behind the scenes. The team as a whole has worked relentlessly to fight COVID, setting up a HDU for CPAP and COVID patients; having 24 hour cover to support the COVID wards and make escalation decisions. He has made a Covengers assemble memory box to help staff reflect and process the experience of a pandemic. He has constantly been thinking of ways to improve the service whilst supporting others. Finally, even though his rotation finishes in August, he had been working on the rota and recruitment of medics to continue with the pandemic and follow up. All this on-top of being an excellent doctor.
Maria Hopkins, specialist speech and language therapist, Swansea Bay
Nominator Christine Griffiths, head of S<, mental health and learning disabilities, explains that the pandemic has meant that many adults with learning disabilities have had to be shielded in their homes. Dysphagia in this population is high and as a speech and language therapy department we need to urgently adapt some of our working practices to respond to need and risk. Maria steered a telepractice initiative for the department through: Undertaking a comprehensive review of evidence based practice and research in this area, development of standard procedures, co-production where practicable, evaluation and ongoing feedback and data collection system plus accessible consent forms. This would be an initiative considered as a future development, but Maria has been able to produce this work quickly and robustly. This is already producing positive outcomes for people with learning disabilities, carers and speech and language therapists and robust evaluations will inform possible longer term changes to working practices.
Patrick McGill, podiatrist, Western Health and Social Care Trust
As Northern Ireland locked down (25 March), I realised many exceptionally vulnerable patients with wound care and vascular needs could not attend appointments. I decided to set up a Trust email address and offer remote ability for all patients, carers and GPs to email images of wounds for the podiatrist to assess and devise and management plan. Many patients did not need to attend podiatry and a multi-disciplinary team managed to give excellent care. This gave patients reassurance and provided a mechanism for professionals to communicate with podiatrists. This continues to improve service for patients self-isolating and eases pressure on the NHS. Podiatry staff now rotate, assessing and planning care, keeping patients away from hospital.
The Lung Function and Sleep Apnoea Team, Cardiff & Vale
At the beginning of the crisis, the team were required to provide training on the use of CPAP machines in the treatment of COVID-19 patients. Within two weeks, the small team of 3.9 WTE physiologists had managed to train around 200 healthcare staff across two sites to ensure CPAP therapy could be administered appropriately and safely where needed.
Following the peak of the pandemic the team had to consider ways in which the service could be restarted where practical and safe to do so. In little under a week, the idea of a 'drive through' service was established and the first patients were booked in to attend. Our service is traditionally a very patient-facing service, whereby patients would attend the department on multiple occasions for their diagnostic appointments, followed by CPAP setup appointments and then follow up. In order to reduce the risk to the patient, the risk to the staff and the footfall through the hospital, the team developed the idea of a 'drive through' service, which would allow patients to attend for their appointment without having to leave their car and enter the hospital. With this new way of working, patients are telephoned for a virtual consultation and asked screening questions for COVID-19 before being booked in to a designated time slot when they attend by car to receive their equipment through the car window. The patients are provided with a vast array of instructional guides and supportive information and support and follow-up is then provided remotely via telephone consultation. We currently have capacity to perform 50 diagnostic studies per week and 20 CPAP setups per week which is close to our pre-COVID activity levels. Feedback from patients has been excellent with many commenting that they were expecting to wait upwards of a year post-COVID to receive their equipment.
Royal Surrey NHS Foundation Trust
The whole Trust has been nominated by Razan Altarsha, oncology medicine management and clinical trials pharmacy technician. He says: The whole Trust touched my heart in the way it responded to the pandemic. The hospital has people in each sector who come once in a life time. The hospital not only redeployed the staff but also looked after their wellbeing. It offered accommodation for staff at high risk. The hospital turned into one person, one hand and one heart, for the benefit of staff and patients.
Sue Sutton, therapies lead, and the therapies department, Liverpool Heart & Chest
Hannah Rooney, therapies lead, says: ‘The therapies department - physiotherapists, occupational therapists, exercise physiologists, speech and language therapists and dieticians - have worked tirelessly and professionally to support the COVID-19 response by providing their own specialities but also by supporting their nursing and medical colleagues. The switch to 7-day working on a 2 shift pattern occurred swiftly to provide increased daily therapy presence. Providing staff to work as nurse buddies and runners on critical care has occurred when the demand required. This involved therapy staff being with patients in their final moments and facilitating contact with families during these times. Therapy staff have been and continue to be ever present in the ‘red zones’ providing rehab and discharge planning to ensure a seamless and safe transition home. They have shown great strength and resilience, with an unwavering morale that is continuing as they make ongoing changes to community services and research plans to inform practice. They have held their first feedback and reflection session whereby positivity has been harnessed despite the sadness. We are AHPs and it’s what we do.
Lorraine Allchurch, assistant therapy practitioner, and the therapy services team, Dudley Group NHS Foundation Trust
The transformation of services at speed has been phenomenal. When normal services were stopped the whole team moved in to join the ITU proning teams. This meant upskilling senior staff into ITU /critical care /MHDU and upskilling junior and newly qualified staff to increase knowledge and confidence with respiratory skills, developing COVID therapy updates and resources. Bank working was increased to include physiotherapy students and retired physios to work as therapy assistants. Face fit testers were trained and the whole department was fitted with a variety of masks as stocks changed. PPE resources were readily available including an on call resource box, with an open door policy to raise any concerns or anxieties. We ensured safety netting of COVID patients with rehab pathways in the community and screening for on-going needs already in place on discharge. Staff stepped forward for Nightingale Birmingham. Out-patient services moved to new ways of working, including telehealth. A serenity room was created with showers, drinks and food available. Two minutes’ silence was held when a colleague’s funeral took place as close staff were unable to attend. Staff have also been supported when unable to attend work due to health or bereavement or childcare issues. Risk assessments for BAME staff were carried out with support throughout. This has been a whole team collaboration across acute, community and out-patients.
Community Therapy Hub, Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board
Sarah Lewis Simms, deputy head occupational therapist, brought together five therapies, occupational therapy, physiotherapy, podiatry, speech and language therapy and dietetics in response to COVID-19. The rapidly-created hub provides a central point of access for the therapies for individuals with swallowing or communication difficulties, high risk malnutrition, foot infections and vascular crisis and those with difficulties maintaining functional independence including mobility, personal care, meal preparation and transfers. The community therapy hub supports both COVID-19 positive and negative individuals, providing care and advice via virtual consultation, guiding carers, relatives and volunteers to provide care and support and delivers face-to-face contact as clinically necessary. The hub has further broken down traditional barriers and multiple referral pathways between the therapies by working as an MDT and fostering an holistic approach. The team connects to the wider therapy services to access specialist therapy knowledge to address need as appropriate, recognising the impact of the pandemic both physically and psychologically. This model is unique in its hub and spoke design to provide rapid, timely and collaborative intervention.
Amy Charnock, clinical specialist respiratory physiotherapist and the Physio Proning Team, Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board (East),
Due to COVID-19, changes were required to meet the needs of the patients, especially those on critical care. The staff in the proning teams all voluntarily offered to work a shift pattern, providing a 24-hour service. Many of the staff were redeployed from other specialities, such as MSK, Paeds, Rehab and Women’s Health. The teams have all had amazing feedback from the patients and the MDT on critical care. They have all embraced the challenge and the morale within each team has been remarkable.
Neil Langridge, consultant physiotherapist, musculoskeletal services, Southern Health NHS Foundation Trust,
Nominator Susanna Preedy, AHP deputy director, tells us that as the impact of COVID started to touch services, with compassionate leadership and care and attention, Neil redeployed the MSK team across the Trust. He led by example reviewing his own competencies and seeking the training required to become a ward-based physio. He worked alongside community inpatient physios to deliver inpatient care on a community ward with patients many of which were COVID positive, whilst also supporting his MSK colleagues in a variety of settings. His person-centred approach enabled staff to feel safe and well supported during their redeployment, which enabled our community services to continue to care for patients. Both teams have learnt so much as a result of his leadership. Neil has now started to look at restarting the MSK services but has taken with him the learning from this time to look at how the services could be remodelled to present less of a barrier between MSK and community therapy services.
Clinical Engineering Team, Hywel Dda University Health Board
Argyll and Bute physiotherapy team, NHS Highland
On behalf of the team Derek Laidler, professional lead physiotherapist, says:’ The focus of health services has been on the acute treatment of patients and particularly the high dependency services. We have been supporting patients within these services but quickly recognised the need to ensure continuity of care for patients leaving hospital and have set up a multi -disciplinary service pathway to manage all of their needs.
Mid Lothian MSK GP APP/ FCP Team, Midlothian Health and Social Care Partnership
Fionna Mackinnon, advanced physiotherapist, nominating the team, says: ‘This team has been a mobile response team, who have stepped away from their normal role and been deployed daily into any of 8 separate teams to ensure capacity within essential services. This includes the COVID Assessment Centre. which has ensured Primary Care, A&E and Acute have not been overrun with COVID-19 patients. They are outstanding.’
Staff Wellbeing Service, Swansea Bay University Health Board
Jan Burke, Research Occupational Therapist, on behalf of the team explains: ‘The service’s core team consists of occupational therapists, physiotherapists, counsellors and admin support. In recent weeks they’ve worked alongside an extended team of psychologists and coaches to provide much-needed augmented support to health board colleagues to help them get through this crisis. The service has been swiftly reconfigured and extended to run from 7am – 9pm, 7 days a week and now offers a range of support including individual phone therapy sessions, facilitated remote group work, on-line resources, signposting, face-to-face intervention on the wards and in departments, and regular dissemination of information and encouragement via social media. Their support can be accessed by individuals or teams, with additional help available for managers in safeguarding the wellbeing of their staff. The team’s AHPs and colleagues are helping to sustain those working at the 'front line' and behind the scenes throughout the health board, to enable them to continue their vital work. ‘
Sally Wood, lead physiotherapist for pulmonary rehabilitation and chest physiotherapist, Essex Partnership University Trust
Sally has been outstanding in terms of the support and dedication she has shown to the Trust and patients during the Covid-19 pandemic. Sally has adapted the whole pulmonary rehabilitation service, with the assistant of support staff, in order to continue to provide an alternative structured home programme, with regular telephone/video consultation review for patients. Sally has also been instrumental in providing respiratory update training to approximately 40 physiotherapist staff from other disciplines across the whole Trust. This training was put together quickly and efficiently with the use of Microsoft Teams and the video presentation has been made available on the Trust training and development page. The feedback from staff has been very positive and highly valued. In addition, Sally has extended her support to her colleagues by ensuring she is available to support them at any time, including weekends if needed.
Toxoplasma Reference Unit and Public Health Wales Virology, Swansea, Public Health Wales
Stephen Hadfield, principal clinical scientist, and the healthcare science staff and support staff from the Toxoplasma Reference Unit rapidly re-purposed their molecular testing facilities to develop a COVID-19 testing capability and fast-tracked the introduction and roll-out of this service. This involved close working with the biomedical scientist and trainee clinical scientist (STP) staff in the Virology department at PHW Microbiology in Swansea, to design and introduce new methods for processing COVID-19 specimens and rapid reporting of results. Staff worked long hours and changed patterns of working without hesitation to develop and deliver this new service using innovative approaches. The 'new' combined team from within both Departments has been able to offer a service that has cut turnaround times to support patient management, as well as contributing to Wales' overall capacity for COVID-19 testing.
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