We are listening – to our patients, carers and families

Irene,

I’d like to take this opportunity to thank all of our patients, carers and families who have shared their experiences with us over the past year.

Your feedback is priceless as it enables us to reflect on what we do well and to consider how we can improve the care and service we provide. Some of the changes we have made this year can be viewed in our regular blogs, but some of the highlights for me have been:

• The wide range of activities and improvements around caring for Older People
• The public engagement work undertaken by Cancer Services
• The introduction of open visiting at Wishaw General Hospital

Whilst some of the changes in these areas appear to be relatively simple or small, they can, and have had a big impact on patients, carers and their families.

I know a lot of you have recognised or named staff in the feedback you have shared with us. This has been a great source of motivation and inspiration for all staff and has enforced our belief that we should acknowledge and recognise our dedicated staff and volunteers with an annual Staff Awards Scheme. The new awards will see healthcare staff from across Lanarkshire recognised for the inspirational work that they do.

NHS staff are often present at some of the most challenging events in a person’s life and the care that they give in these times can make a lasting impression on a patient, their family and carers.

Volunteers who work with NHS Lanarkshire and any NHS Lanarkshire employed staff including domestic staff, administration staff, nurses, midwives, allied health professionals, doctors and consultants are eligible for nomination.

The award categories pay special attention to those who are unsung heroes, those who go the extra mile to deliver outstanding services and those who provide exceptional person-centred care.

The awards also recognise teams and individuals who are innovative in addition to those who continuously improve services.

There is a category to recognise volunteers who excel in their commitment to support the health and care needs of the people of Lanarkshire.

The award categories are:

Outstanding individual

Outstanding team

Outstanding care

Outstanding volunteer

Innovation in practice

Service improvement

If you would like to nominate a volunteer or a member of staff you can visit a dedicated nomination website via www.nhslanarkshire.org.uk or you can call us on Tel No: 01698 377790.

Nomination forms are also available from NHS premises throughout Lanarkshire. These forms can be returned in the freepost envelope attached to the form.

Nominations should be submitted before 31 January 2016, with the winners being announced in a ceremony due to be held on Wednesday 18 May 2016.

And finally … I would like to say a big and heartfelt thank you to all NHS Lanarkshire staff and volunteers for giving of themselves each and every day and above all making a difference to our patients.

Festive greetings and a healthy and Happy New Year to one and all!

If you have an experience about NHS Lanarkshire that you would like to share please speak to a member of staff, respond on Patient Opinion, or visit the “Your Feedback” Section of the NHS Lanarkshire website to see the other ways to get in touch www.nhslanarkshire.org.uk

Kind regards