Thank You Event 2022: Project of the Year – Highly Commended
Every year we celebrate our amazing staff and their achievements at our pop-up Thank You ceremony. Board members will pop into video meetings to surprise colleagues and present them with a hamper for being shining examples of our magnificent staff behaviours.
Highly commended in the Project of the Year category was the Community Cancer Support Service (CCSS)
Project of the Year – Highly Commended
The Community Cancer Support Service (CCSS) is a new service which launched in September 2020 and is funded jointly by the CCG and Macmillan. The service is one of the first community based cancer teams in the UK and is currently in seven Primary Care Networks. It offers personalised care and support to patients from diagnosis to end of treatment, living with and beyond cancer, or early palliative care.
The service is led by experienced and dedicated clinicians who put patient care above all else. The project has been led by a steering group of commissioners, partners and patients, providing gentle challenge and continuous support. Patient involvement has been key to shaping the service and has ensured the patient’s view is always at the heart of any developments or communications.
Their nominator, Heather Hayes, told us: “The service helps patients at this uncertain time to navigate their treatment and support options. The service has balanced the need to promote itself, develop its workforce, engage patients, and build relationships with other services against the demands of COVID-19.
“Despite the uncertainty and unpredictability of the service’s first year, the team has remained proactive and positive in the face of challenge. I want to acknowledge the staff and how they have positively developed relationships, advanced their skills and knowledge, and formed as a team whilst largely working remotely. They are devoted and have never lost their focus, providing excellent care and support to their patients.
“Patient feedback has shown that clinicians are valued for their capacity to listen, locate additional services, advocate on their behalf, and act as a point of coordination/liaison between hospital and GP services.”
The team were surprised by Thea Stein, Chief Executive, and Dr Ruth Burnett, Executive Medical Director, in their Microsoft Teams meeting. Thea said: “You’re so worthy of this award. I know that you sometimes feel that you do your work and you do it unseen, but this is a moment to say you are seen, we do know what you do and we do appreciate it and understand how hard it has been. Thank you.”
Ruth added: “This service exemplifies every single one of the behaviours which we strive for as a Trust. A massive thank you and a massive well done, it sounds like it’s been really difficult but you’ve kept a really clear vision and developed an absolutely brilliant service.”
