West Suffolk Hospital’s ‘Shining Lights’ recognised for their vital work
Staff at West Suffolk Hospital who go the extra mile to make a difference to the lives of patients and their families have been recognised for their endeavours.
Scores of staff have been named in the Bury St Edmunds hospital’s annual ‘Shining Lights’ to celebrate their achievements.
Roger Quince, chairman of West Suffolk Hospital Trust, said: “This year, we received a huge number of nominations for individuals and teams who have worked hard to put patients first, both within the hospital and at our outreach clinics in the community.
“My congratulations go to these staff, who have maintained a constant focus on delivering the best possible care with compassion and kindness.”
Among those recognised were quick-thinking housekeeper Pat Burton who immediately alerted clinical colleagues when she noticed a change in the behaviour of a patient while she was serving drinks on the Macmillan Unit.
Staff realised the patient was having a stroke, and transferred them immediately to the stroke unit where they were given life-saving thrombolysis.
Porters David Mortlock, Sally Buxton, Laura Turner, Chris Benham and Fiona Smith were commended for providing a ‘fantastic service’ to F4 and the x-ray team.
Porter Matthew Hart has been praised as ‘polite and professional’ - doing all he can to help.
Staff nurse Daisy Maala is described by colleagues in main theatres as ‘an angel in disguise’. Competent, hard-working and with a contagious laugh, she acts with care, sensitivity, good humour and professionalism.
Barbara Wilson is hailed as a ‘real asset’ to the neonatal unit who plays a valuable role in helping new starters learn more about the team and the care they provide.
F3 Sister Jenny Ogden epitomises ‘old fashioned nursing’ and recently reduced a consultant to tears after taking time out from managing a busy ward to feed a patient who needed help. She often stays late to help out and is very caring and compassionate.
Joanne Robinson is described by colleagues as a ‘hidden gem’ as she quietly works away in the sewing room, mending any rips and tears and making adjustments so that everyone has a uniform.
‘Unofficial captain of the ship’ Maz Aylott, who works as ward clerk on G8, has an encyclopaedic knowledge of how to do things, who to contact for help and where things comes from.
Care of the elderly registrar Sundeep Grewal provides fantastic professional and personal support to junior staff on ward G4. He went the extra mile to support the Trust during winter pressures, thinking outside the box to come up with innovative solutions to resolve bed shortages so the hospital could continue working as normal.
The F12 nursing team have delivered an ‘exceptional standard of care’ to patients transferred to the adult isolation ward since it opened last January, ensuring the most complex of needs are met.
ENT consultant Feroze Ahmed is a ‘pleasure to work with’ and dedicated to his field. Positive and kind, he is well thought of by his patients and always puts them first.
Alison Littler, Geraldine Bradford, Karen Green, Celia Nicol, Theresa Gilbey and Sandra Carey offer an ‘unrivalled level of care’ to women delivering their babies in the Midwifery led Birthing Unit.
Neonatal nurse Susan Lockwood will be ‘greatly missed’ by her neonatal unit colleagues when she retires this year after more than 20 years of service. Conscientious and hard-working, she acts as a fantastic role model.
Pathology staff have been recognised for showing unfailing commitment to delivering a high quality, professional service throughout a period of change. Colleagues across all four teams – biochemistry, haematology, histopathology and microbiology – have ‘pulled together throughout a period of uncertainty and deserve commendation’.
Robert Wright, Raymond Orr, Julie Yeats, Debi Edgeller, Val Mott, Fay Roberts and Barry Wells, who all work as volunteers, play a ‘crucial role’ in improving the patient experience by helping people fill in surveys and feedback forms.
