Ambulance service celebrates clinical excellence across Cheshire and Mersey

CELEBRATING those who have demonstrated the highest levels of patient care and innovation across Cheshire and Merseyside, North West Ambulance Service (NWAS) has held its 2nd ever Achieving Clinical Excellence (ACE) Awards last week.

The ceremony, which took place on Tuesday, 30 July 2019, at Formby Hall Golf Club, was hosted by Dave Kitchin, Head of Service. Chief Executive, Daren Mochrie and Chair, Peter White presented 11 awards to individuals, teams of staff and also external agencies. Winners were rewarded for their clinical excellence and achievements over the past year.

Daren Mochrie, Chief Executive says:- "The awards are an opportunity to reward our professional employees who are committed to delivering the highest quality of patient care as well as members of the public who have stepped in to make a real difference. As chief executive I am extremely proud to recognise such outstanding achievements."

The categories and award winners were:-

► Consultant Paramedic Award:- Leona Blayney, Craig Butterworth, Gary Fitzpatrick, Gareth Owen, Jade Parry, Danielle Shaw.

► Advanced Paramedic Award:- Wayne Evans, Dylan Hughes, Jessica Heath.

► Clinical Leadership Award:- Andy Baines.

► Supporting Clinical Excellence Award:- Cheshire & Mersey Fleet Team.

► Mentor of the Year:- Paul Campbell.

► Student of the Year:- Samuel Hebden.

► Communication Centre Award:- EOC Orange Team.

► Innovation and Change Award:- Darren Earley.

► Patient Choice Award:- Sarah Camplin, Andrew Hazley, Michael Jackson, Diane McGann, Aaron Murray, Michael Quirk, Stephen Rickards.

► Everyday Hero Award:- Total Fitness, Crewe.

► The John Harrison Award for Outstanding Achievement:- Peter Fisher, Danielle Phelan and Andrew Carter Sweeney.

Winners were selected from peer nominations by a judging panel consisting of Head of Service, Dave Kitchin, Consultant Paramedics for Cheshire and Mersey, Nick Sutcliffe and John Collins alongside the trust's Medical Director, Dr Chris Grant.

Maxine Power, Director of Quality, Innovation and Improvement chose the winner of the Innovation and Change Award. This was presented to Senior Paramedic Team Leader, Darren Earley who has developed a tool to support NWAS clinicians when treating patients with mental health concerns.

The John Harrison Award is in memory of Dr John Harrison, the trust's former associate medical director who exemplified the highest clinical standards of care. The recipient of this award was emergency services team:- Peter Fisher, Danielle Phelan and Andrew Carter Sweeney who were recognised for outstanding professionalism when faced with a colleague having a medical emergency. Their award was presented by John Harrison's wife, Margaret, along with their colleague who thanked the team for their life saving actions.

Staff from Total Fitness in Crewe were given this year's Everyday Hero Award. Thanks to their training, quick thinking and use of the defibrillator on site, the team were able to help save the lives of 2 people in separate incidents just 3 months apart.

All winners were presented with a certificate and award to recognise their actions.

Celebrating success with Liverpool's Adult Learning Service

THEY have all been on a journey of self discovery, with Liverpool City Council's Employment and Skills team. They've stayed the course and are now ready for the next steps in their journeys following a special graduation ceremony. More than 40 adults converged on Toxteth's Granby Adult Learning Centre to receive special certificates to recognise their achievement in a range of subjects and successfully achieving their goals in finding work.

In a typical year, the service works with more than 8,000 learners, aged 19 or over. A further 2,000 people have been helped through the Ways to Work employability programme at venues across the City. The service offers more than 300 courses in a range of subjects including everything from Arabic to Web Design. This includes courses in subjects such as English and Maths aimed at people who want to improve their employment prospects and move into the world of work.

Through the Ways to Work employability programme, the team offers 1 to 1 support for those needing help to get into work. This can include training for specific job skills such as forklift truck driving and bricklaying. The team work through a number of learning centres across the City, including:- Calderstones, Newsham, Norris Green and Park Road. They also use children's and community centres, libraries and out-reach locations and even deliver sessions through a mobile learning bus.

The celebration of achievement awards were presented in categories including:- overcoming challenges, distance travelled, young achiever, adult achiever, community champion, learning for wellbeing, above and beyond, social impact and partnerships.

The Adult Learning Service is performing well; with an overall learner achievement rate of 93% in 2018; the highest rate of services in the 8 English core Cities. Courses have been designed to be affordable, including many free taster sessions. The timetable has been drawn up to fit around students' work and family commitments.

A host of new courses will be launching for the September term and there are a series of enrolment open day events and registration sessions for Ways to Work coming soon.

For more information visit on the Liverpool City Council website see:-

► Adult Learning 

► Ways To Work

Liverpool Deputy Mayor, Cllr Gary Millar, who opened the event, said:- "It's inspiring that the City Council's Employment and Skills team is continuing to have such a positive impact on those people from across the City who sign up and take part in what are often life changing training courses. To see the faces of learners, their families, friends, their tutors and advisors celebrating their achievements reminded me of why our Adult Learning Service and Employment and Skills team is recognised as 1 of the best in the country. I'm pleased to say that our experts have produced a programme that includes everything from learning a new hobby or skill through to vocational courses and training that can really improve your prospects of finding employment.

I know first-hand that the Council is committed to delivering greater opportunities for people from a whole range of backgrounds. Whatever stage of your journey you are at, there is certainly something for you with Liverpool City Council's Employment and Skills team. Please give them a call or search online for the Adult Learning Service; you won't be disappointed!"

Tony Ashbrooke, who is a Maths Tutor with Adult Learning Service, said:- "The feedback from our learners was that they were all made to feel really special at the ceremony. The learners have not only gained new skills in their chosen areas, but now feel more confident and are really positive about the future. Not only that but they have made some good friends along the way."

What some of the successful learners said:-

► Tom commented:- "Just call me award winning Tom from now on please!"

► Nathan said that:- "My Nan bought a new dress to come with me for the awards and I was really proud when everyone started clapping."

► Annemarie added:- "The room looked fabulous, you could tell they'd really made an effort to make it a special occasion."