An NHS worker has been recognised for her work for those suffering with dementia in Gedling at a prestigious awards ceremony last night.
Emma Anderson, a community support worker for the County Dementia Outreach Service, a role within the ; was named as ‘Unsung Hero of the Year’ at the Outstanding Service Contribution and Recognition Scheme (OSCARS).
The awards are hosted each year by Nottinghamshire Healthcare and recognises and rewards staff and volunteers who have gone the extra mile to deliver high quality healthcare services across the Nottinghamshire.
Emma, 42, won Unsung Hero of the Year for her work supporting staff in nursing homes to care for their residents with dementia. As well as implementing specialist treatment plans for residents, she works with care home staff to suggest and demonstrate ways they can improve a resident’s quality of life.
Louise Page, clinical specialist for the County Dementia Outreach Service, nominated Emma for the OSCAR.
She said: “Emma will challenge clinicians and care homes if she feels people are not working in a patient’s best interests. Her knowledge and expertise in dementia care and her passion and commitment to provide high quality care is obvious to all that meet her.”
Emma was delighted to have scooped an award during the evening.
She said: “Working with my patients – giving them a quality to their life and enabling others to communicate with them by understanding their needs – is what I enjoy most. I work in a team who support each other and are passionate about what they do.
“It feels amazing to have won! All of the nominees in my category deserved to be there and I feel very proud to have taken the OSCAR home.”
The OSCARS is now in its fifteenth year and is delivered with sponsorship from a variety of public and private organisations, including MITIE. This year, 171 individuals and teams were nominated, across the nine categories judged by staff, volunteers and service users.
Ruth Hawkins, Nottinghamshire Healthcare Trust chief executive, said: “We were delighted to hold our fifteenth OSCARS awards this year, to celebrate the extraordinary hard work and remarkable achievements of our staff and volunteers. Congratulations to all the winners.
“As always, it was another fantastic evening and I hope all those who were shortlisted enjoyed the opportunity to share their successes.
“It is more important than ever to recognise and thank our staff and volunteers for the valuable contribution they make to both the Trust and the wider NHS. Their dedication is truly valued, as shown in the many nominations we received, and makes a real difference to everyone who uses our services.”
