On the evening of Thursday 30 November 2023, the Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust held their Extraordinary People Awards ceremony to celebrate the incredible staff and volunteers who work across the Trust.

The awards have 11 different categories which recognise the outstanding contribution that staff and volunteers make to care for patients and support colleagues. Over 500 nominations were received from staff, patients and carers, and judging panels then created a shortlist of 47 finalists.

The Royal Devon’s finalists came together for an awards ceremony at the RILD Building at the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital (Wonford), where the winners were announced and presented with their awards.

Paul Roberts, Interim Chief Executive Officer, said: “Our Extraordinary People Awards event allows us to say an extra special thank you to those staff and volunteers who were recognised by our judging panels as being truly extraordinary. We were delighted to host the event and spend time together as Team Royal Devon, and hear about the amazing work our staff and volunteers are doing.

“These awards really bring home the fact that our people are our greatest strength – and I would like to congratulate and thank all of our colleagues who received recognition for the real and lasting difference they make to our patients, colleagues and local communities.”

The event was made possible thanks to generous sponsorship from Nevada Construction, KJ Refrigeration, NewZapp Trusted Delivery, EX2 Group, Sodexo, Westcountry Maintenance Services, Channel 3 Consulting and Denhams Digital, and donations from Peninsula Project Consulting and Ellis James Creative.

Paul added: “It is a great feeling knowing that our whole community wants to show their appreciation to their local NHS, especially just before our busiest time over winter. We are all incredibly grateful to our sponsors and donators for showing their support for us and making this award ceremony possible.”

ICU Team NDDH - Winner of Team of the Year Award (clinical)

The ICU team based at NDDH has shown incredible resilience and determination after key members retired. The team have demonstrated incredible levels of resilience, drive and determination to continue to deliver exceptional care and high standards.

Their nominator said: “I have no words that even begin to describe the pride I have leading this team and this organisation should be incredibly proud to have such a strong, compassionate, dedicated and inspiring ICU team at NDDH."

Lucy Smyth - Winner of the Extraordinary Care Award (individual)

Lucy is a renal consultant and the clinical lead for renal services. She was nominated by her colleagues for her patience and calm, ensuring patients receive essential treatment in challenging circumstances.

Lucy’s nominator said: “She showed incredible resilience and patience to get the right results for her patients. Her compassion, kindness and strength of character shone throughout."

The Pharmacy Aseptics team – Winner of the Extraordinary Care Award (team)

The team made a specific medicine, which had not been made for 15 years, to help treat a cancer patient. Despite being under extreme pressure with a huge workload, they made the world of difference to the patient and their family.

Colleagues said: “This is just one example of how the aseptics team go out of their way to help us. They always manage to squeeze in our last-minute requests! Whilst they are one step removed from patients they always maintain patient-centred care.”

Jane Hunt – Winner of the Living Our Values Award

Nominated by her colleagues for embodying our Trust values of compassion, integrity, inclusion and empowerment, Jane has shown kindness, pragmatism, fairness and understanding to her colleagues, helping them feel supported to come to work.

They said: “Jane creates an environment that welcomes and celebrates the abilities that individuals bring, whilst ensuring they have the support and adjustments in place to enable them to flourish.”

Sadie Heddon – Winner of the Extraordinary Colleague Support Award

Praised for her compassion and kindness, her colleagues say she goes above and beyond to make them feel valued.

“Sadie is one of our mental health first aiders and has really gone above and beyond to show staff within research and development that their wellbeing is valued.”

John Clifford - Winner of the Extraordinary Volunteer Award

John epitomises what makes our volunteers so wonderful. Warm, cheerful and dedicated to supporting patients, he walks an hour each way to get to NDDH, and that’s before he even starts his volunteering role.

John’s nominator said: “John's fundraising efforts have been nothing short of remarkable, he has raised substantial amounts of money for our hospital. This financial support is invaluable in improving patient care and facilities, and John's dedication to this cause is commendable. John's contributions are immeasurable, and his presence is a true blessing to us all."

Janet Jones – Winner of the Leader of the Year Award

Janet is described as 'inspirational' by her colleagues and has excelled in setting up urology outpatients at Ottery St Mary. She leads by example, empowers her staff, supports them and is dedicated to excellent patient care.

Colleagues who work closely with Janet said: “Janet leads a tight-knit, well trained and extremely happy team of nurses and support workers at Ottery Hospital. Janet is extremely hard working and dedicated and tenacious and has a very positive attitude, which is infectious. Janet has truly gone above and beyond.”

Beth Thompson - Winner of the Extraordinary Collaboration and Partnership Award

When the North Devon Dietetics Team needed support, Beth Thompson kept her role at the RD&E going and remotely reviewed patients, provided training and mentoring to new staff and drove to NDDH to meet patients face to face. This was alongside her already busy role at the RD&E and her studies for the advanced clinical practice programme.

Beth’s nominaotor said: “We would like Beth to know, we are very thankful and truly appreciate the support she has given us.”

Dominic Hazell – Winner of the Green Award

Dominic has worked tirelessly to secure two hybrid pool cars for the community rehab teams based in Crediton and in Okehampton to cut down on emissions. Apart from this environmental advantage, they have also made cost savings for the Trust by cutting down on staff members mileage claims.

He also secured an e-bike for close vicinity visits which provides a valuable health and wellbeing initiative for staff. This included arranging cycling proficiency refresher sessions to support those less confident on a bike. Colleagues said “Dominic overcomes challenges and always puts health and sustainability at the heart of everything he does."

Hannah Hopkins – Winner of the Extraordinary Endeavour Award (clinical)

Hannah has been central to the transformation of the frailty service in North Devon. She has taken the initiative to improve the patient experience and raised the frailty agenda throughout the Trust. She has been instrumental in setting up the Acute Hospital at Home (AHAH) service at NDDH and is passionate about meeting the needs of older people.

Mike Cousins – Winner of the Extraordinary Endeavour Award (non-clinical)

In his nomination, health and safety manager Mike is described as an unsung hero, who was vital in getting the Pets as Therapy dogs back on site at NDDH after visiting restrictions. Mike facilitated the risk assessments to enable their safe return to the children on Caroline Thorpe Ward and inpatients on Fortescue Ward. He is dedicated to the health and wellbeing of colleagues and patients.

The South West Ambulatory Orthopaedic Centre Physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy Team – Winner of the Exceptional Idea Award

The South West Ambulatory Orthopaedic Centre (SWAOC) Physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy Team created a completely new innovative idea using MY CARE, and have designed a social questionnaire that is completed by patients before their preparation for surgery appointment. The answers are weighted and identify patients who require specialist therapy preoperatively. This criteria-based selection for pre-operative therapy intervention has significantly contributed to an efficient use of therapists’ time.

Patients have benefited from this use of digital technology, as their concerns about post-op rehabilitation and managing activities of daily living can be expressed in their own words at the start of their elective orthopaedic pathway. An appointment is organised with a therapist to assess the patient’s functional ability, home environment and meet the individual patient needs and concerns. Due to this targeted pre-operative therapy input, 0 patients have had a prolonged stay due to environmental and social issues at SWAOC.

By sharing their idea with over 40 other therapy services they have helped other trusts too.

Lauren Cooper – Winner of the Learner of the Year Award

Lauren is a recently qualified midwife. Despite facing extremely tragic challenges during her training, she has never missed a shift or deadline. Lauren has even found the courage to travel to Ghana to do a voluntary midwifery elective placement at the end of her course, which is an amazing achievement in itself and shows her passion and commitment to the role.

Lauren’s nominator said: “We are very proud to have Lauren join us as a qualified preceptee midwife, she has showed resilience and professionalism at all times and we're proud to now have her as a colleague.”

Emergency Department reception team, NDDH – Winner of the Team of the Year Award (non-clinical)

The calm and reassuring faces of the Emergency Department Reception Team - North Devon District Hospital are our non-clinical Team of the Year. Dealing with stressful situations calmly and working flexibly to cover shifts, they are a model in great teamwork under pressure. This is shown by the positive feedback we receive via both Friends & Family and Care Opinion.

Their nominator said: “The team bridge the gap between patient’s relatives and clinical staff. They go that extra mile to ensure both patients and relatives are kept informed and reassured, at the same time allowing clinical teams the time to focus on providing the best quality clinical care possible.”