Our health and care staff recently came together to celebrate the vital contribution made by healthcare support workers (HCSW).
The event, held at Preston North End Football Club, brought together 100 of our HCSWs, representing their colleagues who make up just over a fifth of our workforce.
HCSWs are an important part of any healthcare team, providing help and support to patients and colleagues in all care and treatment settings.
At the Trust, they work in a variety of services ranging from mental health, learning disability, community to physical health services.
Associate Chief Nurse, and Lead for Experience, Engagement and Safeguarding, Paul Jebb, said:
“It was great to hold an event to shine a light on the amazing work done by HCSWs day in, day out across all of our the length and breadth of Lancashire and South Cumbria, and most importantly to show our thanks for their efforts.
Chances are if you or a loved one have been in hospital, you will have been helped by a HCSW. They are often seen as the backbone of our clinical teams, they play an integral role in both our mental and physical health services, helping their nursing colleagues and more importantly, the patients we care for.
We are so grateful for everything they do.”
The event was also an opportunity to showcase the professional investment made by the Trust to develop HCSWs, who often progress and train to become nursing associates and some go on to become registered nurses.
Paul Jebb added:
“This event couldn’t have come at a better time after our recent win at the Nursing Times Workforce Awards, which cemented our place as the leading UK employer for nursing staff.”
The celebration saw speakers from a whole host of services, including the recent Time to Shine Award winning Clinical Team of the Year, the Children’s Complex Packages of Care Team, who shared their expertise, personal stories and gave colleagues an opportunity to appreciate each other and congratulate the difference they make in providing physical and emotional support to service users which guides service users toward recovery.
After listening to staff stories the creative team-building activities began, drawing and creating their own personal healthcare support worker logo and what it meant to them.
Attendees were surprised with a message from the Deputy Chief Nurse for England, Duncan Burton, who thanked colleagues, celebrating their role and the important work done enhancing the experience of care across the Trust.
Pastoral Healthcare Support Worker, Julie Webster, received a Chief Nursing Officer Award from NHS England, for her efforts in improving staff morale, patient outcomes and the training of HCSWs with empathy and compassion.
You can find more on joining our award winning team with recruitment opportunities available for healthcare support workers in Lancashire and South Cumbria.
