While the whole North West 2 Nursing Team couldn’t make the Nursing and Midwifery Awards and Scholarships (NAMAS), word of their ‘Team of the Year’ win spread lightning fast.
‘There were eight of us, including our Nurse Unit Manager Tatyana Naumova, who went to the event,’ Associate Nurse Unit Manager Dhanya Joseph said.
‘By the end of the night, most of our team members who wasn’t there knew we’d won either from personal messages or from our group chat!’
The North West 2 Ward, located at the Kingston Centre, works tirelessly to support mainly stroke, acquired brain injury and spinal patients through their rehabilitation to regain independence and return to everyday community life with their loved ones.
At the annual NAMAS event on Friday 2 May, they were awarded one of two ‘Teams of the Year’ for demonstrating a phenomenal commitment to delivering outstanding care, empathy, and effective communication and collaboration.
‘When it was announced we’d won, it was so unexpected and exciting we almost jumped out of our chairs!’ Dhanya said.
‘Everyone was really excited for the team, and they are so hard working, so it’s really good to know this has paid off and being recognised.’
Dhanya, who has been working on the ward for nearly two years, said while it can be challenging work, it’s incredibly rewarding.
‘The outcome is amazing when you can get them up, get them active and get their functioning back, so they can get almost back to their normal lives,’ she said.
‘They have a really tough time initially, but they pull through with the help of the team.’
Daizy Kumar, Associate Nurse Unit Manager, described the award as an amazing achievement and said the team was proud to be recognised.
‘This truly reflects the team’s dedication, skills, compassion and commitment. NW2 has a strong and collaborative multidisciplinary team approach to the care delivery and rehabilitation of our patients to achieve the best possible outcome for our patients,’ Daizy said.
Dhanya echoed the importance of the North West 2 Nursing Team’s multidisciplinary approach and was quick to thank their colleagues.
‘While we do the 24/7 medical and general care, medication, and support them emotionally through some really tough times, the physiotherapist’s work on improving mobility and the occupational therapist’s work on improving cognitive function is so important, and we all work together,’ Dhanya said.
When patients are finally able to be discharged from the Ward, the nursing team and multidisciplinary teams give them a very special send off whenever they’re able.
‘We all come and walk the patient out of the building together,’ Dhanya said.
‘Everybody feels emotional but also excited, and it’s a really special moment to give that send off with best wishes to get back to their normal lives.’
Dhanya said her team’s ability to foster such a safe, collaborative and supportive environment boiled down to a few key things.
‘Honesty, gratefulness, good communication and strong values among the team,’ she said.
‘Collaboration within the team, clear expectations, shared goals, being patient-centred in our care and having a lot of kindness and empathy are the main tools we’ve used that have really made a difference.’
Congratulations, North West 2 Nursing Team, for your well-deserved award!