West Suffolk Hospital NHS trust nominated for nursing workforce awards

Staff at the West Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust have been shortlisted for a number of honours in the Nursing Times Workforce Awards.

The awards celebrate excellence in the nursing profession, with winners set to be announced at a ceremony in London on November 22.

The trust for West Suffolk Hospital in Bury St Edmunds has been nominated for the ‘Best UK Employer of the Year for Nursing Staff’ title.

Trust employee Diane Last has been nominated for the ‘Nurse Manager of the Year’ and ‘Non-Clinical Manager of the Year’ awards, while John Songkip and Edelisa Almeida are in the running for the ‘Overseas Nurse of the Year’ title.

Tom Woollard has made the shortlist for ‘Practice Educator of the Year’.

In addition, the trust’s renal ward database has been nominated for the ‘Best Use of Workplace Technology’ award.

Executive chief nurse Sue Wilkinson said: “To be nominated as Best UK Employer for Nursing Staff is recognition for so many of our WSFT colleagues who do their utmost to make this a rewarding Trust for nurses to work in, especially after the challenging times our nurses have faced over the last couple of years.

“These nominations are richly deserved and we wish all the finalists the best of luck.”

The trust’s executive director of workforce, Jeremy Over, states: “On behalf of the whole trust, I am so delighted these colleagues have been recognised, it is a testament to their hard work and commitment.

“Giving all our colleagues the opportunity to achieve their potential and develop their careers with us is a priority and we are so pleased that three of our educators are included - Diane, John and Tom.

“The recognition for Edelisa Almeida, a member of our critical care unit team; and the work of our renal team in making best use of technology reflect their hard work to provide safe, quality and compassionate care for our patients.”