Award for volunteers with Pembrokeshire Community Team for Learning Disabilities
Volunteers with Pembrokeshire Community Team for Learning Disabilities have been recognised in Hywel Dda University Health Board’s Best of Health awards for their help and dedication in supporting people with learning disabilities to communicate better.
Ben Fulton and Julie Warlow have been volunteering together for the Speech and Language Therapy service since 2012. Julie joined us as a volunteer, with the remit of supporting Ben in his volunteering role as he has learning difficulties.
They won Volunteer of the Year being praised for their professionalism, time and energy as well as their unique supporting role to each other.
The whole team nominated them saying: “From the start, Ben and Julie have worked together as a team. Julie supports Ben with the organisational side of volunteering, helping him to plan and sequence their tasks. Equally, Ben has taught Julie our core sign vocabulary, and has given her advice on using our computer programme ‘Communicate in Print’ which we use to prepare ‘Easy Read’ resources. Julie also gives Ben the emotional and social support he needs to be an independent member of our team, in our large and busy office. We are very pleased that Ben and Julie continue to offer us valuable time and energy and are always keen and willing to be involved in new projects. “
Another Pembrokeshire based winner was the Argyle Medical Group, Pembroke Dock who won the Engaging with People category.
Since 2011 the Argyle Medical Group has taken steps to engage with town councillors, the Community Health Council and their local population to introduce improvements to the practice.
Hayley Blyth, Senior Primary Care Locality Development Manager who nominated the practice said: “As a result of these discussions, various improvements have been made. Part of this involved the creation of a patient participation group which allowed patients of the practice to see behind the scenes and gain a better understanding of how it’s run.”
Other county /university health board wide winners are:
Improving Health and Well-being: Measles Outbreak 2013 Response Team
The measles outbreak response team have been shortlisted for their dedication in dealing with the control and prevention of the spread of measles during the outbreak in spring 2013. Representatives from the school nursing service, primary care, the communication and vaccination teams joined together to support the endeavour with a clear ‘can do’ attitude, with the focus always on the needs of our local community.
Outstanding Leader : Elaine Lorton, Head of Primary Care & Dental Services
Elaine was nominated for the impact she has made since becoming Head of Primary Care and Dental Services 18 months ago. Described as the “driving force within primary care that inspires everyone to give their best” she boosted team morale by sharing her vision for the service provided and inspiring colleagues to be proactive within their roles. She recognises potential in others and has gained the respect of her team.
Making a Difference through Better Use of Resources: Children’s Audiology Service
The Children’s Audiology Service has demonstrated a sustained, cooperative and focused approach to service improvement for patients whilst being mindful of the need to conserve resources. Following redesign, the service now works collaboratively across the University Health Board and has embraced new ways of working to achieve quality, equality and efficiency.
Joint Working with the Third Sector and Partner Organisations: Domestic Abuse Forum
The Domestic Abuse Forum has been shortlisted in recognition of its efforts to raise awareness of domestic abuse with Health Board staff. It provides support to staff who may be affected by domestic abuse, equips staff to support patients and families and helps to increase knowledge and skills of staff. The forum works with partner agencies through Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion and Pembrokeshire, with staff, volunteers, patients and families.
The major sponsor of this year’s awards were Health Shield Friendly Society Limited and it is thanks to them and the other sponsors that the University Health Board was able to host this celebratory event for staff.
Health Shield Chief Executive Jonathan Burton: “Congratulations to everyone who was nominated for an award, and to all those who won. It is such an achievement for you all to have been recognised and a testament to the work you do.
“From me and everyone at Health Shield, we hope you all enjoyed the evening, and wish you all the very best for the future.”
Chairman Chris Martin said: "All our staff are our greatest asset and these awards recognise just a few of them and their contribution to delivering better healthcare services for our patients."
Ben Fulton and Julie Warlow receive their Volunteer of the Year award.
Argyle Medical Group staff with their award for engaging with people.
Ben Fulton and Julie Warlow have been volunteering together for the Speech and Language Therapy service since 2012. Julie joined us as a volunteer, with the remit of supporting Ben in his volunteering role as he has learning difficulties.
They won Volunteer of the Year being praised for their professionalism, time and energy as well as their unique supporting role to each other.
The whole team nominated them saying: “From the start, Ben and Julie have worked together as a team. Julie supports Ben with the organisational side of volunteering, helping him to plan and sequence their tasks. Equally, Ben has taught Julie our core sign vocabulary, and has given her advice on using our computer programme ‘Communicate in Print’ which we use to prepare ‘Easy Read’ resources. Julie also gives Ben the emotional and social support he needs to be an independent member of our team, in our large and busy office. We are very pleased that Ben and Julie continue to offer us valuable time and energy and are always keen and willing to be involved in new projects. “
Another Pembrokeshire based winner was the Argyle Medical Group, Pembroke Dock who won the Engaging with People category.
Since 2011 the Argyle Medical Group has taken steps to engage with town councillors, the Community Health Council and their local population to introduce improvements to the practice.
Hayley Blyth, Senior Primary Care Locality Development Manager who nominated the practice said: “As a result of these discussions, various improvements have been made. Part of this involved the creation of a patient participation group which allowed patients of the practice to see behind the scenes and gain a better understanding of how it’s run.”
Other county /university health board wide winners are:
Improving Health and Well-being: Measles Outbreak 2013 Response Team
The measles outbreak response team have been shortlisted for their dedication in dealing with the control and prevention of the spread of measles during the outbreak in spring 2013. Representatives from the school nursing service, primary care, the communication and vaccination teams joined together to support the endeavour with a clear ‘can do’ attitude, with the focus always on the needs of our local community.
Outstanding Leader : Elaine Lorton, Head of Primary Care & Dental Services
Elaine was nominated for the impact she has made since becoming Head of Primary Care and Dental Services 18 months ago. Described as the “driving force within primary care that inspires everyone to give their best” she boosted team morale by sharing her vision for the service provided and inspiring colleagues to be proactive within their roles. She recognises potential in others and has gained the respect of her team.
Making a Difference through Better Use of Resources: Children’s Audiology Service
The Children’s Audiology Service has demonstrated a sustained, cooperative and focused approach to service improvement for patients whilst being mindful of the need to conserve resources. Following redesign, the service now works collaboratively across the University Health Board and has embraced new ways of working to achieve quality, equality and efficiency.
Joint Working with the Third Sector and Partner Organisations: Domestic Abuse Forum
The Domestic Abuse Forum has been shortlisted in recognition of its efforts to raise awareness of domestic abuse with Health Board staff. It provides support to staff who may be affected by domestic abuse, equips staff to support patients and families and helps to increase knowledge and skills of staff. The forum works with partner agencies through Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion and Pembrokeshire, with staff, volunteers, patients and families.
The major sponsor of this year’s awards were Health Shield Friendly Society Limited and it is thanks to them and the other sponsors that the University Health Board was able to host this celebratory event for staff.
Health Shield Chief Executive Jonathan Burton: “Congratulations to everyone who was nominated for an award, and to all those who won. It is such an achievement for you all to have been recognised and a testament to the work you do.
“From me and everyone at Health Shield, we hope you all enjoyed the evening, and wish you all the very best for the future.”
Chairman Chris Martin said: "All our staff are our greatest asset and these awards recognise just a few of them and their contribution to delivering better healthcare services for our patients."
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