THE organisers of this year’s Globe-backed Heart Awards were not prepared to let coronavirus pandemic lockdown get in the way when this year’s ceremony had to be postponed.

Wirral Community Health and Care NHS Foundation Trust found another way to hold celebrate and recognise the achievements of NHS staff.

... They decided to do so online.

The event was postponed in March, just days before it was due to take place, because lockdown had been announced.

On the big night, 300 colleagues from the community trust would have turned out for a presentation of awards recognising excellence in the following categories; Exceptional Care, Innovation, Excellence in Partnership, Volunteer of the Year, Inspirational Leadership, Quality Improvement, Outstanding Achievement and the People's Heart Award.

But With no realistic expectations on when the event might be held due to COVID-19 and social distancing, the Trust hit on the innovative idea to do them virtually.

So the presentations were streamed live on YouTube to all the staff, with each winner being surprised in their place of work.

Wirral Globe:

Over eight days, the trust's chief executive Karen Howell presented each award live and on location to those colleagues and teams who had won a Heart Award for their respective category.

Compered by Roger Johnson from BBC North West, staff could tune in and watch live each day at 12 noon and share in the amazing work being done by colleagues.

The final award, the People's Heart Award was promoted in the Wirral Globe back in January.

The public were invited to nominate a member of staff or a team from the community trust who had given them outstanding care.

This year's winner was Sheila Nugent (pictured, below).

Wirral Globe:

A specialist palliative care nurse, Sheila received her award live with Karen at Wirral Hospice St John's.

Wirral Community Health and Care NHS Foundation Trust’s Chief Executive Karen Howell said: "Doing our Heart Awards virtually has meant that we’ve been able to recognise our staff in a timely and safe way following the postponement of the event back in March.

"I'’s been wonderful to be able to share their achievements across our Trust and allow as many of our staff as possible watch live and join in during these challenging times.

"Staff have really engaged with it and the videos so far have had nearly 2000 views!"

Karen continued: "Thank you to the following organisations for their sponsorship and support: Wirral Globe, Hill Dickinson, Innovation Agency, Assista Consulting, Yellowfin and Elerbanks Ltd."

On her award Sheila Nugent, Specialist Palliative Care Nurse said: "It's an absolute privilege to be nominated by the patients, carers and the public just means the world.

"We do this job day in day out and every day.

"We're so lucky to be able to make a difference to people’s lives. I know all my colleagues would say the same."

Sheila went on to thank her family for their support and said that they would be delighted to see her receive this award.

You can watch all the Heart Award video presentations on Twitter by visiting @wchc_nhs or visit www.wchc.nhs.uk/news

Other category winners in this year’s Heart Awards were:

  • Innovation: Wheelchair Service (Wirral and West Cheshire)
  • Volunteer of the Year: Eileen Slattery and Spartacus - Quality and Governance Service
  • Excellence in Partnership: Healthier South Wirral Primary Care Network
  • Outstanding Achievement: Fiona Campbell - 0-19 Health and Wellbeing Service 
  • Outstanding Achievement: Paddy O’Dea - Integrated Gateway
  • Inspirational Leadership: Gilbert Ngatia – Community Nursing
  • Quality Improvement: SAFE Team
  • Exceptional Care: Cherish Cadelina - Access and Intermediate Care

Congratulations to all of the winners from the Wirral Globe.