'They do an amazing job'... Patients and families pay tribute to Morriston staff at emotional awards event

‘A credit to nursing’, ‘she’s one of a kind’, ‘they do an amazing job’… these are just a few of the heartfelt tributes from patients and their families who have said a massive thank you to  staff and volunteers by nominating them for a Patient Choice Award.

The award recognises outstanding care and support and is a wonderful way to let the special person know how much their hard work and dedication means.

This year has seen the return of the awards after a pause due to Covid, with a series of awards events taking place over the summer months at Neath Port Talbot, Singleton and Morriston hospitals.

There are more planned in the coming weeks and months, but the latest was a third awards day focussing on staff at Morriston Hospital.

Nominators and nominees were brought together, with patient stories shared while awards were handed out. And understandably, it proved to be an emotional occasion.

Staff have been nominated for anything from a relatively simple gesture that makes life more comfortable or convenient to being - quite literally - a life-saver.

One such nomination came from mum Victoria Williams, who wrote in her nomination for Emma Gregory and Sharon Brown, who are both clinical nurse specialists in epilepsy: “The epilepsy team has been there every step of the way since my son's diagnosis in 2018.

“Whether it was to ring Emma, the epilepsy children's nurse, to cry down the phone after another seizure, or work with us to find a medication that would stop the seizures, they were great at answering my many queries. They were reassuring and practical with advice and a constant source of support.”

Mum Toni Evans wrote a warm tribute to ED consultant Clare Dieppe, explaining in her nomination: “My daughter Sarah has been to hospital a number of times due to illnesses and leg pain. She has had several tests which has been difficult for her (e.g blood tests, blood sugar tests, MRI etc). She has trust issues, as she thinks tests could hurt. Clare was amazing with Sarah, she made her laugh, kept her calm, managed to do the tests and also spoke with Sarah as an individual and not through just me, which she appreciates. Clare also did a ‘magic’ trick with Sarah involving a light (which she loved!) and overall, provided a great examination and referral. Clare demonstrated great person-centred care with Sarah and what stands out the most is that Clare was able to examine Sarah without her feeling afraid.”

Joanne Morris nominated the staff of Ward V after the compassionate way in which they cared for her elderly father.

She wrote: “We received excellent care for our elderly father who deteriorated quickly and needed palliative care. The care he received was exceptional. We were so impressed with the attention to detail and care of the family during this awful time.

“We felt the team were excellent with him and attended to his every need. We want to express our thanks to an amazing team, from the ward sister, staff nurses and healthcare support workers, all are worthy of an award.”

Meanwhile Morriston ED staff nurse Perdie Perring nominated British Red Cross team leader, Bethan Davies, for a Patient Choice Award.

The Red Cross support patients in a number of ways, including transportation to and from hospital.

Perdi said: “The whole team are fantastic and I nominated Bethan for a Patient Choice Award because the work she does is fantastic and she is really supportive, not just to the patients but the staff as well.

 “I think I speak for everyone. Bethan stands out, I don’t know her colleagues as well, but she’s fantastic.”

And patient Lauren Larmond wrote of ED Sister Charlotte Gallivan: “I would like to nominate a wonderful human being..  One day in October I walked in to ED, feeling really unwell. I am Type 1 diabetic and was experiencing a potentially life-threatening complication. Charlotte rushed me through for getting the right treatment, got me hooked me up to every machine possible and in all honesty, she saved my life there and then. I wouldn’t be here today with my children so I am eternally grateful. She is one of a kind.”

If you would like to find out more about how you can say a special thank you by nominating our staff and volunteers for an award, go to our webpage - Patient Choice Awards - Swansea Bay University Health Board (nhs.wales)

Below is a complete list of nominees and nominators from the Morriston Hospital event:

Event 1

Award 1: Melissa Benbow (Physiotherapy Technician) and Sophie Grace (Physiotherapist) - nominated by Jemma Matthews.

Award 2: Bethan Davies (Red Cross, ED) - nominated by Perdie Perring.

Award 3: Kirsty King (EDA. Emergency department) - nominated by Perdie Perring.

Award 4: Charlotte Gallivan (Resuscitation officer and staff nurse) - nominated by Lauren Larmond.

Award 5: Radiology - nominated by Robert Carter.

Award 6:  Emma Gregory (CNS Paediatric epilepsy), Epilepsy team and Sharon Brown (clinical nurse specialist - epilepsy) - nominated by Victoria Williams.

Award 7: Clare Dieppe (Consultant. ED) – nominated by Toni Evans.

Event 2

Award 1: Claire Carruthers (HCSW. Cardiac catheter lab) – nominated by Katy Holmes.

Award 2: Dr Rami Radwan (Consultant Colorectal & General Surgeon) - nominated by Vicky Lunnon.

Award 3: Lovely Barlizo (Staff nurse. Ward T) – nominated by Wendy Randall.

Award 4:  Emma Horton (MS CNS. Neurology) and Lynne Watson (MS Specialist Physiotherapist) – nominated by Sara Shahroozi Harvey.

Award 5: Catherine Broome (Orthodontic Therapist) and Dr Kristian Davies (Consultant. Orthodontics) - nominated by Sian Edwards.

Award 6: Jenny Sharples (Staff nurse. AMU) – nominated by Rhyanne Aston.

Award 7: Codi Pallidina (Staff nurse. amau east) – nominated by Sara Morgan.

Award 8: Jayna Sunassee (Registered nurse. Ward J Respiratory) – nominated by Elizabeth Molen.

Event 3

Award 1: Dr Dana Beasley (Consultant Paediatrician) – nomination from Natalie Goulding.

Award 2: Ward V – nominated by Joanne Morris.

Award 3: Charlotte Andrews (Staff nurse. Tempest Ward) – nominated by Karen Morgan.

Award 4: Rosalyn Thomas (Highly specialist podiatrist Acute Foot) – nominated by Dr Mohammed Elameer.

Award 5: Hannah Moughtin (Student nurse, Dan Danino) – nominated by Kenneth James Casey.

Award 6: Paediatric Burns Team – nominated by Emma Williams.

Award 7: Mia Williams (Student nurse, PAU) – nominated by Rachel Gardiner James.

Award 8: Meryding Mateo (Staff nurse. Ward R) – nominated by Donna Williams.

Award 9: Debbie Hopkins (Unit Manager. West Renal Unit) – nominated by Jennifer Wells.

Award 10: Jayne Howells (Sister. SDMU) – nominated by Rachel Rogers.

Award 11: ITU – nominated by Natasha Grove.

Award 12: Siobhan James (Staff nurse. Burns & Plastics) – nominated by Maria McGerty.