Nursing Support Worker of the Year

Nursing support workers are essential and valued members of the nursing team. They work in all health and care settings, in hospitals, care homes, communities and the independent sector, under the guidance and supervision of registered nurses. Nursing support workers job titles and roles vary depending on the area in which they are working, but they share the same values.

Open to all nursing support workers including nursing assistants, health care support workers, carers and senior carers who work as part of the nursing team. This award aims to recognise those who have made an outstanding contribution to the care of patients or residents in their nursing support worker role.
  

A nursing support worker who is delegated work by a registered nurse who is working in health and social care.

(in no particular order)

     

iCAMHS Healthcare Support Worker / Nursing Assistant, Stirling Community Hospital, NHS Forth Valley

Described by colleagues as a bright spark, full of passion, patience and knowledge, Alison is a Stirling based health care support worker (HCSW) within the iCAMHS team.  Working with colleagues, she has overhauled the treatment areas to make them better for patients and to enhance and improve the interface between her team and paediatric and mental health staff. Alison has also been involved in producing packs of information and strategies to support front line services. The first health care support worker in the team, Alison helped to establish the possibilities of her role and implement ways of working to make the role central to the success of the team. She often steps in to relieve pressure on other colleagues by transcribing notes and joining in on appointments to reduce handover pressures. Alison has also created welcome packs for new HCSW to ease their transition into the team. She is often seen single handily providing meal support and parent education – helping patients to avoid hospital admission. Patient feedback credits Alison with helping to repair family relationships and is applauded for seeing this as equally as important as the health care given to the patient. One of Alison’s greatest skills is her ability to talk to patients, reduce anxiety, and making it easier for the team to develop therapeutic relationships with their patents.

Nursing Assistant, Lochview Hospital, NHS Forth Valley

Described by colleagues as a dedicated and professional nursing support worker, for 20 years Janet has worked in the learning disability service of Loch View Hospital, and her senior charge nurse says she is an integral part of the service – leading the way with care and compassion. Always advocating for those under her care, Janet strives to ensure they are recognised as people and not medical or physical conditions. She has played an important part in developing a bespoke approach to care for an individual with autism who requires seclusion due to challenging behaviour. She has developed and incorporated daily contact for him, a long process due to the individual's diagnosis and his challenges to engage with others. Janet is also described as a supportive presence on site, not only for her patients but also for family carers and her colleagues. As well as her support for direct patient care, Janet has played an integral role in maintaining a safe environment in line with local and national policy. Janet is a champion of the control book, completing environmental audits, risk assessments and infection control audits such as hand hygiene. She consistently supports and encourages staff to take an active role in these important tasks to maintain safety for both patients, visitors and her colleagues.

Care Home Collaborative Support Worker, Care Home Collaborative, NHS Greater Glasgow & Clyde

Described by colleagues as passionate and innovative, Stuart works as a Care Home Support Worker in the Care Home Collaborative of Glasgow. Joining the new team with a thirst to learn, he has been applauded for his commitment to succeed. From the outset, he began engaging with the Collaborative and care homes to establish partnership working. Stuart’s work on the mealtime experience has led to him creating a suite of educational materials. Stuart was also pivotal in creating educational provision in peer to peer support for support workers within care homes. Passionate about food, fluid and nutrition, Stuart developed learning materials and delivered sessions to care home teams alongside colleagues. Stuart has and continues to fully embrace all elements of the role, respond to service needs, and provide mutual aid to care homes when required. In providing mutual aid, this has required Stuart to sometimes work as part of care home teams and provide care for those residents. This is something Stuart has approached with great enthusiasm and he has shown a strong desire to really support the teams and make a difference in the experiences of the residents being cared for.

If you have any questions or queries regarding the awards, please get in touch by emailing scotlandnurseawards@rcn.org.uk

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