A&E sister is hospital's first 2009 'employee of month'

ACCIDENT and emergency department Sister Jan Giles has won the January ‘Employee of the Month’ award at Musgrove Park Hospital, in Taunton.
Jan was nominated by her colleagues in the department, who described her as an extremely capable and competent sister.
Musgrove consultant Gillian Bryce said: “Jan constantly steps in to cover colleagues’ shifts at short notice, at times she almost lives in the department.
“She is always a pleasure to work with and she can be relied on to give an extremely high standard of care and efficiency at all times.
“She never shows stress and keeps others calm even when the department is at its busiest.”
Jan, who has worked at Musgrove for 34 years, was presented with her award at a special ceremony in December.
Representatives from local businesses which sponsor the hospital’s employee of the month scheme were invited to attend and were thanked by hospital trust chairman Ros Wyke.
Mrs Wyke said: “The scheme was launched in 2005 to celebrate and reward individual staff who make a special contribution to the work of the hospital.
“It has been really successful, with many staff nominated each month by their colleagues, and the winners enjoying the prizes generously donated by the local business community.
“We are continually grateful for the generosity of those companies whose sponsorship make this initiative possible and I would like to extend my thanks to them all.”
The prizes are given monthly by Spirit Health Club, at the Holiday Inn, Taunton, the O'Bridge restaurant, Esporta, Musgrove Flowers, Haircare at Musgrove, and Q-Park.
From this month, winners will also receive a free CD of their choice given by new sponsor NHS Discounts.

• Our photograph shows Jan Giles, receiving her award from Ros Wyke watched by (left to right) Q-Park manager Dave Simms, Mark Harrison, of Spirit Health Club, and Emma Bacon and Angela Austin, both from the O’Bridge restaurant. Photo submitted.

Matron Suzanne meets Queen at Buckingham Palace reception

A MATRON from Musgrove Park Hospital, Taunton, has been to Buckingham Palace to meet the Queen after courageously overcoming serious injuries suffered in a road accident.
Suzanne Pilkington (pictured), matron of the Children’s Unit, was one of only six guests from the Westcountry to attend the Buckingham Palace reception for healthcare professionals.
Suzanne, who lives near Taunton, was nominated by Musgrove foundation trust chairman Ros Wyke.
About 200 guests attended the reception and Suzanne spent two hours at the palace meeting members of the Royal Family, including the Queen, the Duke of Kent, and Princess Alexandra.
Suzanne said afterwards: “It was a wonderful evening.
“We were treated to Champagne and hors d’oeuvres and were able to wander around the State Rooms where there were items on display from the Royal Collection that related to healthcare through the centuries.
“It was fascinating and I felt so proud to be there representing Musgrove.
“I wore my matron’s uniform with pride and just felt so honoured.”
Mrs Wyke said: “We were so delighted that Suzanne was selected for this special reception.
“We nominated her because of the way she courageously overcame her injuries following a serious road accident when she was cycling to work.
“She sustained major injuries, including a broken pelvis and head injuries.
“Suzanne was a much admired matron before the accident, but the way in which she has bravely undergone her rehabilitation and returned to work has been an inspiration for the whole workforce.
“I am so thrilled that she has been recognised in this way.”

Hospital foundation trust marks its first anniversary

MORE than 150 people attended the first annual meeting of Musgrove Park Hospital’s NHS foundation trust, in Taunton.
They heard reports from chairman Ros Wyke and chief executive Jo Cubbon and saw the first ever showing of the foundation trust DVD.
There were also presentations on the new surgical centre planned for Musgrove and the cancer treatment Beacon Centre, which will open next May.
Mrs Wyke said: “Members are very important to us at Musgrove, they make a real difference and it was good to be able to meet so many at the annual meeting.
“It was particularly useful to hear people’s views about the hospital - what we are getting right and what we need to work on.
“These views, and the involvement of our members, will help us move from being a good hospital, to becoming a great hospital.”
One foundation member, Glyn Meredith, said: “The meeting was very good and extremely interesting.
“The enthusiasm of the staff was clear for all to see, both in the presentations and in those running stalls.
“It gave me great confidence in the future of the hospital and I would certainly go to other events being organised.”
Joining the foundation trust is free and does not commit members to anything.
They receive information from the hospital, are invited to special members-only evenings, and have an opportunity to vote in elections for the members’ council.
The council is made up of 27 governors, of whom 20 are elected, and plays a key role in influencing the future direction of the hospital and deciding who sits on the board of directors.
Anybody who would like to join the foundation trust can call the membership office on 01823 342460 or they can join online at http://www.tsft.nhs.uk/GetInvolved/MembersandGovernors/MembershipForm/tabid/1233/Default.aspx. The telephone number can also be used by anybody who would like a speaker from the hospital to attend their community or local meeting.

• Our photograph shows foundation trust member Glyn Meredith with one of the younger members, Charlotte Trower, and her 10-month-old daughter Sofia Nichols, who attended the annual meeting. Photo submitted.

Foundation trust members to hear hospital's first-year report

THE first annual members’ meeting of Taunton and Somerset NHS Foundation Trust will be held later this month.
The meeting, on Thursday, November 20, is open to all members of the foundation trust, and will take place at Somerset County Cricket Ground, in Taunton.
As well as receiving reports from the chairman and chief executive, members will hear of plans for future developments and see the premiere of a new DVD about the trust, which runs Musgrove Park Hospital.
The meeting starts at 12 noon and will finish by 2.30 pm. Lunch will be provided and all members who attend will be entered into a draw to win tickets to one of Somerset’s 20:20 cricket matches next summer.
Trust chairman Ros Wyke said: “Members are really important to us at Musgrove Park.
“They play an important role in telling us what we are getting right and where we need to improve.
“They also elect governors, who have a number of significant powers to decide on the future direction of the trust.
“This meeting is a chance for us to report on the last year and our plans for the future, but also a great opportunity to hear from members on their priorities.”
Places at the meeting are free, but must be booked by noon on Monday, November 10, by calling 01823 342460 or emailing jo.wakefield@tst.nhs.uk.
Anybody who is not a foundation trust member can join online at www.tsft.nhs.uk or by calling 01823 342460.

Receptionist with a smile is hospital employee of the month

A RECEPTIONIST in Musgrove Park Hospital, Taunton, has won the NHS trust’s October employee of the month award.
Marcia Derrick works in the haematology and oncology day unit.
She was nominated by colleague Debbie Curtis and selected from 37 nominations made by trust staff during the month.
Debbie said: “Marcia works above and beyond the call of duty. She had to work alone for several months earlier this year and still managed to ensure an extremely high level of service to the patients, as well as supporting medical secretaries like me when we needed it.
“She is always cheerful and has a smile for all of our patients, which is so important as she is often the first face that patients see when they come into the department.
“She also knows exactly where everything is, making her a real gem of a receptionist, one of the best I have ever seen in action.”
Marcia said: “I was stunned when I heard I had won this award. I have worked at Musgrove for seven years and have always loved my work, but I was really pleased to be recognised in this way.
“I do like to try and make patients feel welcome and at ease if I can.
“Nobody wants to be in hospital, but if I can contribute to making somebody’s experience that bit better, then that is really satisfying.”

• Our photograph shows Marcia Derrick (left) receiving her award and flowers from Taunton and Somerset NHS Trust chairman Ros Wyke. Photo contributed.