Southern Trust launches Excellence Awards

The Southern Health and Social Care Trust has launched the Excellence Awards for 2012 and is asking for members of the public to play their part and nominate a member of staff who has made a big difference to their lives for the People’s Choice Award.

Elizabeth Mahood, a non-executive director with the Trust, and chair of the Excellence Awards committee, said: “The staff excellence awards recognise those staff who make such a difference to patients and clients by going that extra mile. You may wish to acknowledge staff who work in hospital, come to your home, are based in health centres or day centres, or who work as support staff – porters, domestics, drivers or clerical workers.

“The People’s Choice award is for Trust employees who have demonstrated to a patient, client or relative exceptional care – maybe kindness, professional expertise or expert care which has made a difference in their life.”

Last year, the award was won by the Community Children’s Nursing team from Newry, who were nominated by the family of a baby who, with their support, was able to leave hospital for a few days before she sadly passed away.

In their nomination, the family said: “The Community Children’s Nurses enabled us to get our daughter home, made it as stress free as possible because we had a nurse day and night. We cannot thank the team enough for what they have done for us.”

Do you know someone who deserves this award? The criteria for nominations is as follows:

Did the staff member or team make your experience of our services as stress-free as possible? Did they take time to discuss your concerns, or find someone who could? Were they caring, respectful and attentive to your needs? Did you find them appreciative, pleasant and helpful?

If the answer to one or more of these points is yes, then go ahead and nominate. The closing date is 5pm on Monday, October 1, 2012. The overall winner will be announced in December 2012.