Peterborough hospital staff recognised in national awards

Nicola Wright, Senior Play Specialist at Peterborough City Hospital (PCH), has achieved third place in the National Starlight Health Play Specialist of the Year Awards 2020.

Making the announcement at the North West Anglia NHS Foundation Trust online Board Meeting in Public (30 November), Caroline Walker, CEO, said: “Nicola’s great work to engage children who are dealing with ill health was an inspiration to the colleague who nominated her. Congratulations to Nicola for a fabulous achievement.”

Ms Wright added: “I was surprised and honoured to find out that I had been nominated for Health Play Specialist of the Year by a colleague. Even more so when I found out I’d been selected as runner up.

“Play is such a vital part of a child’s life, especially when they’re in hospital. I’m proud to be a part of such a fabulous team at PCH, who always go the extra mile to support patients and their families.

“I’m part of a profession that I truly believe in and have had the privilege to see grow and become increasingly recognised for its importance.

“More notably I’ve seen first-hand the impact that play can have on a patient and their family, which for me is the greatest reward.”

Ms Wright’s nomination, written by her work colleague Jessica Forber, comes following her work for Play in Hospital Week 2019, which included a flash mob performance from the Peterborough Regional College for the young patients staying on Amazon; and it was this that caught the attention of all three judges who commented on the passion she holds for her job.

Starlight, together with the National Association of Health Play Specialists celebrate the amazing work of Health Play Specialists across the country, recognising and promoting the significance of play in a hospital setting.

And in another success the Overseas Recruitment Team at Peterborough City Hospital (PCH) have won the Nursing Times Workforce of the Year 2020.

Caroline Walker said: “The Nursing Times Workforce Awards are in recognition of the work done supporting international nurses.

“Our Overseas Recruitment Team, which recruits nurses from across the world to work at PCH, Hinchingbrooke and Stamford and Rutland Hospitals, have won the prestigious ‘Best International Recruitment Experience’ award 2020, and on behalf of the Board members and everybody at NWAFT we would like to say ‘Congratulations to Paul Denton, and all involved’.”

The Nursing Times Workforce Awards, were broadcast online for the first time in 2020, with this award recognising an organisation’s strategic approach to the improvement of overseas nurses’ experience of recruitment to the UK.

As well as being the International Year of the Nurse and the Midwife, the 2020 awards ceremony ensures that the hard work and dedication of the nursing profession is recognised and celebrated following a difficult year.