Public To Nominate Health Staff For Dignity Award, UK

Main Category: Public Health
Article Date: 02 Feb 2009 - 3:00 PDT

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Musgrove Park Hospital in Taunton is encouraging members of the public to nominate health and social care staff for a new national award.

The People's Award for Dignity in Care has been created to officially say thank you to health and social care staff and highlight the remarkable work they do. Anyone employed in care-giving is eligible, from nurses and social workers, hospital porters and nursing home employees, to consultants and GPs. You can nominate at http://www.dignityincare.org.uk or by calling 0870 000 1100.

Martine Price, Director of Governance and Nursing at Musgrove Park Hospital said "We receive thousands of letters every year from patients and relatives who want to say thank you for the care they receive. This is a great opportunity for people to nominate someone who has gone that extra mile in ensuring dignity and respect in any area of health and social care."

Sir Michael Parkinson, the Ambassador for Dignity in Care says: "Most of us will at some point be in contact with care services - be that in our work, or as a service user, a carer, a relative or friend. The People's Award for Dignity in Care is a great way for us to recognise the dedication of health and care staff treating people with the dignity and respect they deserve."

The nominations are open now and close on 6 March. Ten regional finalists will be selected to go through to the final in July where the winner and runners up will meet Sir Michael Parkinson and Phil Hope, Minster for Care Services.

Notes

Musgrove Park Hospital Taunton is part of Taunton and Somerset NHS Foundation Trust.

The hospital serves a population of 340,000 - primarily living in the area served by NHS South West. Each year over 35,000 patients are admitted as emergencies; 37,000 are admitted for elective surgery; 245,000 patients attend outpatient clinics; 47,000 attend Accident and Emergency, 170,000 diagnostic examinations take place and over 3000 babies are born in the Maternity Department. Almost 1000 patients are admitted to Critical Care each year.

Taunton and Somerset NHS Foundation Trust has an annual budget of £190 million. The hospital has over 700 beds, 30 wards, 15 operating theatres, a fully equipped diagnostic imaging department and employs over 4,000 staff.

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Musgrove Park Hospital

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