Heartbeat July 2020

I've got the power!
MEDICINE AND EMERGENCY
CARE
Pandemic or no pandemic, one
thing is pretty clear – we have some
exceptional people working within
our organisation. The last few months
have been challenging on many
levels, but throughout all of this,
colleagues across the Trust have risen
to the challenge of tackling COVID-19.
The Women’s Clinician Network (WCN)
led by Dr Sarb Clare, Deputy Medical
Director and Acute Physician aims to
inspire and support all females to strive to
be the best version of themselves. Before
the pandemic, one of the objectives
high on the agenda of the WCN was to
commend individuals for the roles they
play in empowering colleagues. Dr Clare
told us: “Empowering others is essential
for individuals to thrive, develop and most
importantly in our field, deliver highquality
patient care. As the pandemic hit
these awards were postponed, but what
was ironic was that all these individuals
stepped up to the challenge and their
kind, compassionate, inspiring traits
shone through.”
Keeley Hopcraft - Ward
Manager AMU at City
Karen Parry -
Education Centre
Manager
Scott Shenton -
Fit tester
Dr Asif Naveed -
Consultant Emergency
Care
Craig Simpson -
General Manager -
Medicine
Dr Mike Blaber -
Palliative Care Registrar
and Wellbeing lead
Shaikat Dhar - SpR
Neurology
Becky O’Dwyer -
ITU Clinical Lead
As lockdown began to ease the
WCN made the time to celebrate the
achievements of their colleagues that
had played key roles at this critical time.
Highlighting the work of people from
all across the Trust, the awards were
something of a secret affair as the team
wanted to surprise the recipients on the
day. They arranged coffee meetings only
to delight the award winners with their
thanks as well as a certificate, trophy and
an NHS superhero keepsake.
Dr Vaish Kumar commented about
receiving this unexpected recognition:
“I would like to extend my gratitude to
Women’s Clinical Network for presenting
me with an Empowerment Award. It
is an honour and a wonderful surprise
that came at an important time for me.
I truly appreciate their initiative which
is empowering in itself. This award has
helped to boost my confidence as a
physician and reminds me that I am a
valued member of the SWBH family.
Thank you WCN!”
Dr Sarah Faloon and Dr May Yan took
the lead in delivering the good news to
worthy winners. Dr Yan told us: “The
colleagues we chose to say thank you
to were without a doubt deserving of
the recognition. We had feedback from
lots of people; everyone was keen to
share their thoughts and make sure that
Dr Jen Hancox - CMT
Dr Vaish Kumar -
Diabetes Registrar
we honoured those that had stood out
to them. Everyone from junior doctors to
senior clinicians had kind words to say
about our award-winning colleagues.
The recipients’ of the awards ranged
from medics to nurses, management, to
administrative staff which proves the power
of teamwork.”
Dr Sarah Faloon added: “We celebrated
both our male and female colleagues. As a
network, we recognise the importance of
having male allies who support, inspire and
stand up for women treating us with both
equality as well as equity. We are proud
we have so many male allies within our
organisation.”
Dr Mike Blaber, an award winner
commented: “It is a great privilege to work
with so many fantastic people, across
numerous departments at SWBH, all pulling
together to deliver the best possible care
for patients. The more we empower and
encourage one another in the particular
Stephanie Coates -
Cardiology Matron
Dr Ed Fogden
- Consultant
Gastroenterologist and
Clinical Lead
roles we each play, the greater our capacity
for excellence will be as one big team.
Thank you so much for this generous
award.”
Of all the recipients of this year’s awards,
the WCN would like to honour Mr Ed
Harper in particular. Dr Clare told us: “The
juniors have been raving continuously about
Mr Ed Harper throughout the pandemic.
On the day of lockdown, he saved a young
boys who had been stabbed in the heart
by sewing up his left ventricle whilst in
cardiac arrest with such calm confidence
and humility. Mr Harper said it was nothing,
yet he was not aware of the colossal impact
he had had on the many colleagues that
watched him in action. Having inspirational
figures is essential – if we can see it we can
be it. We all want to be like Mr Harper”.
Huge congratulations to everyone
that received an award this year. Keep
on empowering and inspiring your
colleagues!
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