Three Trust winners in regional NHS Parliamentary Awards

Two incredible individuals and one fantastic team from Great Western Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust have won the regional NHS Parliamentary Awards, and will now all go forwards as finalists in the national awards in July.

The Swindon Integrated Care Alliance Coordination Centre have been recognised in the Excellence in Urgent and Emergency Care category, Consultant Nurse Bev Breen has won the regional Nursing and Midwifery Award and recently retired Neonatal Nurse Toni Starr was celebrated in the Lifetime Achievement Award category.

The winners were successful among 700 nominees made up from right across the country.

Swindon Integrated Care Alliance Coordination Centre

The Swindon ICA Coordination Centre was set up to tackle pressures felt across the healthcare system, when demand in urgent and emergency care services is impacting on movement through the hospital.

The first of its kind in the country, the ICA Coordination Centre displays live reporting of every patient currently in the hospital and every ambulance on route to the hospital. It also records the pathway a patient has entered through and the next steps in their care.

Every month, over 200 ambulances are avoiding admission to the hospital, ambulance handover delays have decreased by around 50% and a decrease of around 10% is being seen for patients with No Criteria to Reside. 

The team have given tours of the Coordination Centre to the local health overview and scrutiny committee, along with Health Minister Will Quince, and has been mentioned in Parliament as an example of good practice.

Sarah Knight, Head of Clinical Operations, and Jeanette Etherington, Performance and Operational Manager, said: “The results we have seen to improving patient care and safety both in the acute hospital and the community makes us feel extremely proud of our achievements, we have learnt a lot of new skills along the way which will last us a lifetime.”

Bev Breen, Consultant Nurse

Bev has used her own initiative to set up successful women’s health clinics for both staff and patients. Her staff screening clinic has seen 50 staff in the last 12 months access a smear test at the hospital site, with all clinics now booked up to August.

She also has six patients currently using the menopause clinic, and has ambitious plans to make this a self-refer clinic for staff too.

Bev is also working with Swindon Town Football Club’s community group, offering menopause advice as part of their 12-week health and wellbeing cycle.

Bev said: “I’ve never won anything before, and am really surprised to have been given this award. Our main aim is to make a difference to the health care of women, which is why we run both our cervical screening and menopause clinics.”

Toni Starr, Neonatal Nurse

Toni Starr has recently retired from the organisation following 52 years of dedicated service to the NHS, most of which was based in Swindon.

Over this amazingly long career, she has shown the most incredible commitment to neonatal nursing. The babies, and the neonatal unit have, by Toni’s admission, been the central focus of her life

Toni was always willing to talk at academic conferences, leading conversations about breast milk, anatomy and medicines. She is also a huge advocate for the next generation of nurses and has inspired many around her to pursue a career in neonatal care.

Toni said: “I was constantly amazed by what I was learning about leadership, teamwork, respectful working across disciplines, change management, and the importance of simulation training.  More than anything I am left with a sense of wonder that we can make such a difference by doing things that tiny bit better.”

Robert Buckland MP added about all three winners: "Over the past 75 years, the NHS has provided vital health care across the UK, this could not have been achieved without our NHS staff who devote their time to caring for others.

“I would like to congratulate our winners and thank all of the wonderful staff at Great Western Hospital for their hard work and dedication, which makes a real difference to the lives of so many in our town, Including me and my family.”

A huge congratulations to the Swindon ICA Coordination Centre, Bev Breen and Toni Starr who will now go forward to the national awards ceremony next month, on the NHS’ 75^th anniversary.