East Sussex NHS staff celebrated at virtual health awards

The members of staff at East Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust have been celebrated at the ESHT awards ceremonies, spread out over three separate locations.

Three main awards were given this year – the People’s Choice Award winner and runner up, and the Chairman’s Award. At the ceremonies, there was recognition for 18 members of staff who have achieved more than 40 years’ service to the NHS.

Steve Phoenix, trust chairman said, “In these challenging times we still wanted to recognise the work of our dedicated staff, who over the past few months have been heroic.

“Our award ceremony has been scaled down this year from our normal event due to Covid, but we still wanted to thank everyone in the organisation.

“Everyone has tirelessly striven to deliver the best possible care during an unprecedented period in the history of the NHS. As chairman, I am immensely proud of everyone at ESHT.”

Patients nominated members of staff and teams, and the judging panel was made up of local MPs and representatives from Healthwatch, the national watchdog for health and social care.

The award winners, and extracts from their nominations were as follows:

The People’s Choice Award was awarded to Dr Graham Whincup - consultant paediatrician.

Dr Graham Whincup retired in May 2020 but stayed on and undertook extra work throughout Covid.

“He is just amazing! He goes above and beyond in everything. If we didn’t have him as a doctor my daughter would had been quite poorly and missed out on vital tests. We cannot thank him enough for his continued support and professionalism. We honestly don’t know where we would be without him.”

“Dr Whincup always goes the extra mile and always has time to listen to our worries and questions. There have been times over the years when our son has been very ill, knowing that we have Dr Whincup not too far away has eased our worries. Our family are all extremely grateful that Dr Whincup has been looking after our son. He really shines as a doctor and is a credit to the NHS.”

The People’s Choice Award runner up was Pevensey Day Unit. The unit provides chemotherapy treatment for patients with cancer.

“Every member of staff from cleaners to matrons are exceptional people - kind, loving, patient, always smiling, funny, professional and helpful.”

The Chairman’s Award was presented to Bexhill Irvine Unit. The unit offers stroke rehabilitation and generic inpatient facilities.

“Bexhill Irvine Unit never planned to be a Covid hotspot but they responded magnificently, adopting new practices, changing rotas, implementing Covid preventive measures, and dealing with families and relatives.”

“The Irvine Unit maintained its consistently high standards of care while meeting these challenges, earning praise from patients, families, and colleagues in the acute hospitals alike. In a year in which people and teams across the organisation rose to a once-in-a-generation challenge, Bexhill Irvine Unit exemplified the resilience, courage, and commitment to care to which we all aspire.”

As well as this, six people were presented with the 40-year-long service award:

Amanda Edwards, a theatre practitioner, joined in October 1979 and has spent her whole career in theatres.

Wendy Elfick, a staff nurse, joined in October 1979.

Louise Gausden works in paediatrics. She joined in September 1979 as has been a health care assistant for just over 40 years.

Lesley Carter joined in 1979 as student nurse and is now a matron in the ophthalmic day surgery of Bexhill hospital.

Janice Whiteman joined in August 1979 as a housekeeper. In October 1984 she trained as a health care assistant and worked in the critical care until August 2020. Janice is now retired.

Beverley Chui works as an ophthalmic nurse.

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