Alliance shortlisted for three GM Health & Care Champions awards

The Northern Care Alliance has been shortlisted for three awards in the first ever Greater Manchester Health and Care Champion Awards.

The awards are organised by Greater Manchester Health and Social Care Partnership, the body that oversees the area’s £6bn devolved health and social care budget, with support from the Mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham.

33 champions have been shortlisted from almost 400 nominations completed by patients, colleagues and the general public. All nominations will be considered by a judging panel and the winners announced at a sponsored event on 13 July.

The Northern Care Alliance NHS Group is made up two Trusts, Salford Royal NHS Foundation Trust and The Pennine Acute Hospitals NHS Trust, which together employ over 17,000 staff. The Group operates five hospitals, Salford Royal, The Royal Oldham, Fairfield General in Bury, Rochdale Infirmary and North Manchester General as well as community services.

Out of 400 nominations received the judges have picked out teams and individuals from the Northern Care Alliance shortlisted in three categories.

• Leaders Across Boundaries award - Care Home Facilitators, based at Salford Royal
• Leader in Supporting Talent Development award - Melanie Wildman, post natal ward manager at The Royal Oldham Hospital
•  Collaboration award - SWAN Bereavement Squad, from across the Northern Care Alliance

The SWAN team provided support to the victims and their families following the Manchester Arena bombing, which killed 22 people and injured many more on 22 May 2017. Nearly one year on they are still providing support to the families of victims.  The SWAN bereavement nurses worked closely with their bereavement colleagues across Greater Manchester, including Coroners, police family liaison officers, mortuary staff, NWAS, multi-faith leaders and voluntary organisations such as the Red Cross.

Fiona Murphy MBE, Associate Director of Nursing at the Northern Care Alliance said: “The SWAN team showed great compassion, professionalism and courage on the night of the Arena bombing, which was the most difficult and testing period in their careers. Everyone went above and beyond proving support to the victims and their families and continue to do so. It is a great honour to be shortlisted for this award.”

The Care Home Facilitators team based at Salford Royal work alongside care homes and other health and social care providers to help improve the quality of end of life care for residents. The team also support staff to ensure end of life decisions are based on an individual’s preference and choice.

Cath Byrne, Assistant Director of Nursing, Palliative and End of Life Care at Salford Royal, said:  “Through providing education and working alongside the care home staff, the team lead by example and ensure the residents and their families receive the highest standard of care and support at what is an emotional and difficult time in people’s lives.”

Melanie Wildman was nominated for all the hard work and dedication she has put in as ward manager to make the post natal ward at The Royal Oldham Hospital a safe place for women and babies, and a great place for midwives to work. She was praised for listening to her staff and introducing small changes to improve the processes on the ward, so that staff are working to their full potential in a happy environment.

Melanie Wildman, post natal ward manager at The Royal Oldham Hospital said: “I have worked for the Trust for 26 years I am absolutely thrilled to have received a nomination. The women and their families on the ward mean everything to me and the care and experience that they receive during their stay is paramount. I am keen to move our service forward for all our women and to do this I have invested in the staff on the ward. I try to lead by example and strongly believe that if you have a happy motivated team behind you then you can do anything.”

Jon Rouse, Chief Officer of Greater Manchester Health and Social Care Partnership said: “I would like to congratulate every single individual and team that has been nominated for an award. Just to be nominated is a real achievement in itself and is recognition of the difference these people are making in their communities.”

 Mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham said: “I am really pleased with the way the people of Greater Manchester have embraced this opportunity to recognise the people who work around the clock to keep our communities well.