Chinwag - Autumn 2019

Corporate news

Staff awards: a glittering night to celebrate success

A Christie worker who was homeless for 20 months has been honoured at the Trust’s annual staff awards.

Also honoured were senior healthcare assistants, Tony McKenzie and Danny Lee who both received the ‘exceptional standards of quality and care’ award. Their work in setting up four phlebotomy clinics across Greater Manchester has meant that hundreds of Christie patients can have blood taken closer to home rather than having to come to the hospital. Nearly 300 staff were nominated for accolades at the event hosted by former Coronation Street star Victoria Ekanoye, as well as our Chief executive, Roger Spencer and Chair, Christine Outram. Other accolades included the ‘Innovation and improvement’ award, which was given to financial systems manager Simon Colebrook and HR operational service lead, Richard Wilkinson, for their work on improving recruitment.

The Christie switchboard team was also honoured in the ‘behind the scenes’ category while senior sister, Aislinn Giles was given the ‘rising star’ accolade for her work on the oncology assessment unit ward. The ‘contribution to research’ award was given to research and development manager Lifen Wang who has worked at The Christie for over 20 years, while the positive working relationships team won the ‘partnership working’ award. Porter, Michael Hoyland was given the ‘Christie values’ award for his outstanding commitment to caring for patients. Consultant endocrinologist Dr Claire Higham and Macmillan network survivorship manager, Ben Heyworth, were given the ‘contribution to education’ award for their work in developing The Christie’s living beyond cancer project.

Clerical officer Paul Kamara

won the ‘Learner of the year’ award after he demonstrated his will to succeed having joined the Trust as a volunteer in October 2018. Paul, 42, had been without a home since losing his job in security at Manchester Airport in 2016, but managed to gain a position as a clerical officer at the Trust after taking a four week course at Trafford College in health and social care. He is now working with the clinical oncology team helping to process patient appointments and provide clinical notes. Paul said: “I am extremely honoured to receive the award and hope it shows how hard work and a willingness to learn can pay off. “After I lost my job I lost my house and lived on the streets. I am extremely proud to get this award as it shows how far I have come and I hope my story can inspire others who find themselves on the streets that they can turn their life around. “I want to say a huge thankyou to The Christie for helping and believing in me.” Lauded for learning: Paul Kamara with Victoria Ekanoye

Our winners: Exceptional standards of quality and care: Tony McKenzie and Danny Lee – senior healthcare assistants with the chemotherapy team Innovation and improvement: Simon Colebrook from finance and Ric Wilkinson from workforce Behind the scenes – non clinical staff: The switchboard team Rising Star: Aislinn Giles – Senior Sister on OAU Partnership working: The positive working relationships policy team comprising of Staff Side, Freedom To Speak Up Guardian and Workforce The Christie values: Michael Hoyland – porter from estates and facilities The Christie award for contribution to research: Lifen Wang – Research and Development Manager The Christie contribution to education: Dr Claire Higham, Consultant Endocrinologist and Ben Heyworth, Macmillan Survivorship Network Manager Learner of the year: Paul Kamara, Clerical officer in Medical Oncology Further details are available via the following pages on HIVE: https://hive. xchristie.nhs.uk/interact/Pages/Content/Document.aspx?id=9686

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