Surprise, surprise – a simple thank you brings smiles

Exceptional staff are receiving recognition for their hard work and dedication thanks to an initiative where managers in Integrated Therapies and Medicine hand deliver thank you cards to show their appreciation.

More than 250 staff, including nurses, nursing assistants, volunteers and food service assistants have had a surprise visit and thank you card from directorate leads since the scheme began in 2017.

Staff, who are nominated by colleagues, are totally unaware of the nomination – which can make for tear jerking moments. The directorate have also started a similar initiative where patients and relatives nominate staff.

Each ward also has a ‘Star of the Month’, where a certificate is given to a staff member and a copy is put on the ward board.

One recent recipient of the thank you card is Sophie Parkinson, lead nurse for the homelessness team, who was nominated by Susan Wood, matron for the respiratory, sleep and homeless team.

Susan said: “I nominated Sophie for the extraordinary care she gave to one of our older patients who has dementia, is rough sleeping and managing a substance misuse problem.

“Sophie spent five hours with the patient, and, even when they became abusive towards her, continued to find a way to safely discharge them to a care home.

“She demonstrated all of the Trust values, putting the safety and health of the patient at the forefront of her actions, working late into the evening and on her own initiative.

“It’s fantastic that the care Sophie provides is being acknowledged in this way.”

Said Rachidi Yaakoubi, a support worker, on Albert ward received 14 nominations from colleagues. One staff member says: “Said is always smiling, talking to patients, checking food and provides a very good service to patients. Everyone is calling him, but he never says no. Thank you Said.”

Heidi Jensen, head of nursing for medicine, stroke, ageing and health delivers the cards with fellow manager James Hill, head of nursing for the emergency department and acute admissions. She said: “There is so much good work going on on our wards and departments so it’s lovely to be able to give staff direct feedback and public recognition in this way.

“What makes this even better is that we often pop up during a team meeting or nurses ’huddle’ and read out the nomination in front of the staff member. They are so surprised and often close to tears. It’s great for their confidence and we’re very proud of them all.”