KGH team wins national award

The Ophthalmology team with their award the award is held by Staff Nurse Louise Bulley, who has been working in the Intensive Care Unit.

A team of more than 50 staff won the award for their services during the pandemic

KGH's ophthalmology has won national recognition after they threw themselves into action elsewhere in the hospital to help in the Covid-19 pandemic.

The team - which has 54 members of staff - has continued to provide an emergency service to help those with eye problems during the pandemic but much of its routine work has been paused.

And with the hospital facing its biggest task in generations in battling coronavirus, staff readily agreed to be redeployed to frontline services including intensive care and infection control.

Now they have won a national Cavell Star Award after being nominated by matron for surgical services, Arnold Aguilar.

Mr Aguilar said: “I nominated the team during the start of Covid when most of them, about 80 per cent of them, were redeployed to various wards or departments across the trust with no hesitation and no complaints.

“I was so impressed with their compassion and cooperation in supporting other wards – such as the intensive care unit - in need of additional staff.

“I am delighted that they have won a Cavell Star Award for going above and beyond for their patients and colleagues.”

Paul Steiner is communications manager with the Cavell Nurses’ Trust - a national organisation set up after the First World War in memory of Edith Cavell, an English nurse

who saved the lives of many soldiers on both sides.

The organisation supports nurses in times of difficulty and awards its Cavell Star Awards to individuals and teams who shine bright and show exceptional care to patients, families and

colleagues.

Mr Steiner said: “Thank you for your nomination for your colleagues in the ophthalmology team to win a Cavell Star Award for going above and beyond for their patients.

“They have been such an important part of the Covid-19 response so far at Kettering General Hospital. What amazing people to have as colleagues!

“They are worthy winners for their dedication to provide the best care for patients at this distressing time under huge pressures. We are delighted to send you a Cavell Star medal pack to present to the team.”

Kettering General Hospital’s director of nursing and quality, Leanne Hackshall, said: “I am delighted the ophthalmology team has won this award. I congratulate them all for the way in

which they have supported the trust’s coronavirus response through redeployment and by keeping our emergency ophthalmology service running.

“I would also like to thank all of Kettering General Hospital’s amazing nursing team for the tremendous way they have responded to the challenge of the pandemic.

“Many have been redeployed to support other wards or faced considerable challenges and new ways of working during the Covid-19 pandemic. I am proud of them all.”