TODAY is the last of our series of features on the winners of the second annual staff recognition awards run by the Oxford University Hospitals Trust. Staff and volunteers from the county’s hospitals were shortlisted and awarded gold, silver and bronze awards at a ceremony held at the Orangery at Blenheim Palace.
 

IMPROVEMENT TO SERVICES AWARD

Finalists in this category were: 

  • IMRT Implementation Group, Radiology, Churchill
  • Jesse Hayesmoore, pre-registration clinical scientist, Regional Genetics Laboratories, Churchill
  • Dr Jackie Palace, consultant neurologist, Multiple Sclerosis Team, John Radcliffe
  • Deborah Grove, advanced nurse practitioner for predialysis, Oxford Kidney Unit, Churchill
  • Angela Downer, Paediatric Urology specialist nurse, John Radcliffe

GOLD AWARD WINNER

CLINICAL scientist Jesse Hayesmoore was honoured with the gold award for his “exceptional contribution to service improvement”.

Mr Hayesmoore works in the regional genetics laboratories and his colleague Anneke Seller nominated him.

Mr Hayesmoore, 30, said: “To be recognised for what I have achieved is very satisfying and it is very encouraging to know my work is very appreciated. This award is a huge boost for all the members of my team.

“I consider myself lucky to have been chosen really.”

Dr Seller said: “His exceptional contribution to service improvement has been to single-handedly conceive, innovate and deliver a bioinformatic solution, Halotator, to the problem of filtering data produced from Next Generation sequencing of DNA.

“Currently there is no commercial product available to do this task.

“In simple terms Jesse has devised a way to find the ‘needle in the haystack’.

“Using Halotator it is now possible to filter a vast number of potential candidates to identify the mutation responsible for a patient’s disease.”

Previously up to 30 hours of scientist time was needed to analyse one patient’s data.

Now 15 patient samples can be analysed at the press of a button.

Dr Seller said: “His achievement is even more incredible as he is entirely self-taught.

“He devised this system in his spare time and simply presented the prototype to the laboratory.”

SILVER AWARD WINNER

Oxford Mail:

  • Deborah Grove

ADVANCED nurse practitioner for pre-dialysis Deborah Grove received the silver award for improving the experience of her patients.

Ms Grove, who works at the Oxford Kidney Unit at the Churchill Hospital, was nominated by colleague Bethan Charles, pre-dialysis clinical nurse specialist, and Dr Phil Mason.

In her nomination Ms Charles said: “Deborah has developed handheld records for predialysis patients that act as a comprehensive information and record system.

“Feedback has been excellent. Patients are better informed and empowered to communicate more effectively both with us and with other healthcare providers.”

Dr Phil Mason said: “Debbie has shown exceptional ability in developing and introducing a number of patient-focused innovations.

“One, she has been instrumental in working with others within the unit to develop a conservative care plan for patients with chronic kidney disease, who have decided not to have dialysis when end-stage kidney failure finally develops.

“Two, she has developed and introduced handheld records for patients with chronic disease, to encourage a shared care approach to their illness, improving their understanding and helping them and their families to make important decisions about choice of dialysis.”

These records were developed and tested and are now being used throughout the unit, which includes Oxford and five satellite clinics.

Dr Mason added: “Debbie has outstanding enthusiasm and energy and has achieved far more than expected during the year in post.

“Not only has she developed these innovations but has publicised them widely within the unit, increasing the awareness among clinical staff.”

BRONZE AWARD WINNER

Oxford Mail:

  • Jackie Palace

CONSULTANT neurologist Jackie Palace achieved the bronze award in this category.

Dr Palace works in the Multiple Sclerosis Team at the John Radcliffe Hospital and was recognised for the development of the MS Trials Group.

She was nominated by Ana Cavey from the Multiple Sclerosis Team, which Dr Palace leads in addition to her normal NHS clinical role.

Ms Cavey said: “Dr Palace has always been passionate about research and clinical care.

“She has facilitated and driven the development of the MS Trials Group.

“The MS Trials Group is now an internationally recognised centre of excellence for both commercial research and our own in-house studies.

“Notably, she has managed to get different disciplines – such as pathology, immunology and functional imaging – to work together where previously there was no collaboration, and this is now considered normal practice.”

She added: “As a result of her dedication to ground-breaking research, the MS Trials team has grown substantially to include two consultants, numerous research fellows, three nurses and administration support.”

EXCELLENCE AWARD

Finalists in this category were:

  •  Dr Ben Esdaile, consultant dermatologist, Dermatology, Churchill Gill Higgs, specialist nurse practitioner, Cancer Genetics
  • Rebecca Hayden, maternity support worker, Women and Children’s
  • Coralie Duff, support services manager, Acute General Medicine
  • Kim Griffiths, senior ward housekeeper, Delivery Suite

GOLD AWARD WINNER

Oxford Mail:

  • Rebecca Hayden with Sir Jonathan Michael

MATERNITY support worker Rebecca Hayden won the gold award for her dedication to her job.

Ms Hayden works at the John Radcliffe Hospital and was nominated by maternity unit colleague Sandra Snowden.

Ms Snowden, midwife and ward manager, said: “Becky is dedicated and committed to her role and proves this by being flexible with her hours – working extra shifts to cover sickness and swapping shifts in order to help her colleagues.

“She also works extra hours in other departments such as ultrasound and BCG clinics.”

She added: “Becky also commands the respect of our paediatric team as she cares for babies with the same level of devotion as she does to their mums.

“Becky provides amazing support to her colleagues – constantly doing more than would be expected of her and she absolutely deserves this nomination.”

SILVER AWARD WINNER

Oxford Mail:

  • Dr Ben Esdaile with Sir Jonathan Michael

CONSULTANT dermatologist Ben Esdaile has been honoured with the silver award for his caring and professional manner.

Dr Esdaile, who works at the Churchill Hospital, was nominated by Amanda Daniel on behalf of the nursing team.

She said: “Dr Esdaile has recently taken on the role of Consultant Dermatologist, and we feel that he has done so in a remarkable way.

“Despite overseeing approximately 60 patients per day, he consistently approaches his workload in a kind, caring, empathetic and professional way.

“Even with the time constraints of a busy clinic or theatre session, he will always make time to listen and answer questions from patients and staff alike.”

She added: “Each day he is pulled in so many directions at one time: dealing with patients, supervising junior members of staff, supporting nurses clinics.

“Yet he is continually helpful and friendly, always dedicated to providing the highest standard of care.”

BRONZE AWARD WINNER

Oxford Mail:

  • Coralie Duff with Sir Jonathan Michael

SUPPORT services manager Coralie Duff has been praised by colleagues for her “phenomenal work ethic” and received the bronze award.

Ms Duff was nominated by Caitlin Mudd from Psychological Medicine, Acute General Medicine, for her work in the department.

Ms Mudd said: “To say that Coralie Duff exceeds expectations is an understatement.

“She goes far beyond that which is required of her to ensure her colleagues and staff members are looked after and have everything they need to do their jobs.

“Coralie’s job is to support the services within Acute General Medicine, which directly affects patient care and service delivered by direct care staff members.

“She takes pride in caring for everyone on her team and is always very respectful, even when dealing with difficult situations.”