Nurse who supports patient with cancer wins top award at Sherwood Forest Hospitals’ Chief Nurse Awards

June 8, 2018

Eight inspirational nurses, midwives, allied health care professionals, support workers and students were recognised for their compassionate and outstanding care at Sherwood Forest Hospitals’ annual Chief Nurse Awards on Friday 8 June at Kelham House Hotel in Newark.

The Trust’s special event had an NHS70 theme to it to celebrate the NHS turning 70 this year and culminated in Penny Tindall, Trust Lead Cancer Nurse, being named the winner of the overall Chief Nurse Award for 2018 (a special award chosen and presented by the Chief Nurse Suzanne Banks for outstanding contribution to leadership and empowering and inspiring others).

Penny said: "I'm absolutely overwhelmed. I feel very proud to have been nominated in the first place. I have only been working for the Trust for just less than a year and it has been a real privilege to be part of the team here. I feel like I have got one of the best jobs in the world in terms of looking at how we can improve services for our patients with cancer."

The awards celebrate those dedicated nurses, midwives, allied healthcare professionals, support workers and students who are committed to providing the very best care for their patients.

As well as the Chief Nurse Awards staff were recognised in categories that reflect the Trust’s four core values of: Communicating and working together; Aspiring and improving; Respectful and caring; and Efficient and safe.

There were further awards for the Support Worker of the Year, and the

Student of the Year and a special NHS70 Lifetime Achievement Award.

The winners on the day in full were:

Communicating and Working Together Award

Winner           Tania Willetts (Staff Nurse, Ward 25)

Runners-up Sally Goodwin (Midwife), Sheila Burscough (Practice and Service Development Lead)

Aspiring and Improving Award

Winner           Chantelle Holland (Nurse, Critical Care)

Runners-up Sally Goodwin (Midwife), Ruth Harrison (Learning Disabilities Specialist Nurse)  

Respectful and Caring Award

Winner           Natalie Bradbury (Staff Nurse, Emergency Department)

Runners-up Gill Malbon (Midwife), Kelly Crutchley (Pre-Operative Assessment Sister)

Efficient and Safe Award

Winner           Justin Wyatt (Ward Leader, Ward 43)

Runners-up Jayne Revill (Emergency Department Matron), Emma Gillies (Stroke Nurse Specialist)

Student of the Year Award

Winners        Tom Hicks (Student Physiotherapist)

Runners-up Beth Jackson (Student Nurse, Ward 44), Nicola Kyte (Trainee Nursing Associate)

Support Worker of the Year Award

Winner           Lucy Harris (Health Care Assistant, Emergency Department)

Runners-up Martin Imms (Health Care Support Worker, Day Case Unit), Julie Vickers (Rehabilitation Support Worker, Early Supported Discharge)

NHS70 Lifetime Achievement Award

Winner           Sue Banner (Duty Nurse Manager, Urgent Emergency Care)

Runners-up Mel Bulgin (Head of Cardiology Service), Denise Grieves (Paediatric Lead Nurse, Emergency Department)

Chief Nurse Award

Winner           Penny Tindall (Lead Cancer Nurse)

Runners-up Natalie Bradbury (Staff Nurse, Emergency Department), Samantha Musson (Operational Team Leader, Therapy Services), Tania Willetts (Staff Nurse, Ward 25)

In total there were a record number of 288 nominations for individuals from patients, visitors and Sherwood Forest Hospitals staff across all of the categories, with the eventual winners being judged by a panel led by Chief Nurse, Suzanne Banks.  

Chief Nurse, Suzanne Banks said:  “It was really tough for the judging panel and we had such a hard job just getting to a shortlist of candidates, let alone the final winners.  It was really inspiring that so many colleagues and members of the public had taken the time to nominate people that they felt were making a difference, and there were so many examples of outstanding care.

“I’d like to congratulate all of the winners and runners up, and thank them all on behalf of the Trust, and most importantly our patients, for the care, dedication and   professionalism they display day in, day out.”