Local end of life care nurses celebrated at Greater Manchester Health and Care Champion Awards 2021

A team of Cygnet end of life care nurses from the Northern Care Alliance NHS Foundation Trust (NCA) have been named Innovation Champion at this year’s Greater Manchester Health and Care Champion Awards.

For outstanding contribution to the health and wellbeing of others across Greater Manchester during such a challenging year, a total of 14 individuals and teams were recognised and rewarded at the virtual awards on 11 November, hosted by television presenter Michelle Ackerley.

With friends and family, around 200 virtual guests logged in to hear about the tremendous work of 37 shortlisted candidates who went above and beyond during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Tariq Mohammed, Senior Clinical Coder and BAME Staff Network Chair at the NCA’s Rochdale Care Organisation, was one of the 37. He was shortlisted in the Inclusion Champion award category for the work he has done promoting equality at Rochdale Infirmary and in community services.
 

Read more: Rochdale Infirmary senior staff member makes GM Champion Awards shortlistPublished: 13 October 2021

Winners on the night, The Cygnet Team was introduced as a direct result of the Covid-19 pandemic to ensure that whilst visiting of patients was suspended, people in their last few days of life were not alone. The Cygnets were recruited across a variety of services that were no longer able to function, including medical students and volunteers to offer comfort and support to both patients and their families.

Passionate about supporting end of life care throughout the pandemic, the team provided essential and compassionate care and support for people as they approached the last days of life.

Each Cygnet carried a backpack with everything needed to fulfil their role and facilitate memory making, comfort, faith, and cultural belief.

Fiona Murphy MBE, Group Director of Nursing, Palliative, End of Life and Bereavement said: “I am so proud of the Cygnets and all they have achieved throughout the pandemic and afterwards. Nobody should have to die alone and the work they are doing makes a huge difference to end of life patients and their families.”

 

 

The Greater Manchester Health & Care Champion Awards received almost 500 nominations this year and individuals from across the NHS, local authorities, charities, care homes and many other sectors were shortlisted across 12 different categories. A panel made up of representatives from across public services, plus patient representatives, reviewed all the nominations and agreed the final shortlist.

The event also provided special recognition for those who have stood out over the course of the pandemic, in the form of the Young Champion Award as well as The Mayor’s Special Recognition Award.

Sarah Price, Chief Officer, Greater Manchester Health and Social Care Partnership said: “It was great to hear all the stories behind our shortlisted finalists. It was simply wonderful to learn all about the different kinds of occupations and sectors that came together during the pandemic to help care and support the wellbeing of others in Greater Manchester during these unprecedented times. I came away feeling incredibly proud.”

Mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham, said: “It was a real honour to support this year’s awards and be part of the judging panel to select the winners - especially choosing the winner of The Mayor's Special Recognition Award. What these awards have shown us is that even when we are tested to our limits, like during a pandemic, people come together even more so to help improve the health and wellbeing of others.

“Without all these people the pandemic would have been more challenging - and our health and social care sector would be struggling. Congratulations to all of our winners – Greater Manchester is proud of you.”

The event was supported by Hits Radio and The Manchester Evening News; along with category sponsors including Tesco, Marks and Spencer, Health Innovation Manchester, Hempsons, NHS Professionals and Manchester United Football Club. During the event a raffle was drawn in which three raffle prizes were given away courtesy of iFly Manchester, The Quayside MediaCityUK and The Halle Orchestra.