AN INSPIRATIONAL Solihull Hospital nurse has been handed a top award for her compassion.
Jan Biggs was handed the Compassion Award at the Heart of England NHS Foundaion Trusts’ (HEFT) Building Healthier Lives Awards which recognise the work of staff and volunteers.
The annual event aims to recognise outstanding care and support across HEFT including Heartlands, Good Hope and Solihull hospitals, as well as Birmingham Chest Clinic and the Trust’s Community Services.
Jan, who has worked at Solihull Hospital for eight years, said: “I am very humbled and very overwhelmed but I am a very small cog in a very big wheel and everyone does an amazing job.”
The Compassion Award recognises the contributions of those who show an exceptional work ethic and go the extra mile to consider the needs of patients.
Jan was nominated by Consultant in Palliative Medicine Chantal Meystre who works alongside her.
She said: “The quality of mercy that she dispenses throughout her day to patients, relatives and staff is quite exceptional. For me it’s the little things that she does that make the difference to people and to me.
“If you are looking down, it’s a cup of tea, if it’s been a difficult conversation, it’s a touch on the arm, are you alright? When I’ m working with her sometimes with really complex cases – where it is other people’s tragedies, death is never easy for those involved – what you will find is that as you are working she’s noticed another patient and relative struggling to get a wheelchair through a door and she’s there getting someone off a chair who’s struggling.
“That was what I noticed the day I thought I’ve got to say something about this. She is the most mentioned nurse in relative feedback and a joy to work with.”
It was a great night for staff and volunteers from Solihull at the awards ceremony with the ground-breaking Geriatric Optimisation and Liaison before Surgery Service (GOALS) team, which works with elderly frail patients, winning the Outstanding Clinical Care accolade.
Goals was set up as a trial clinic – the first of its kind in the country – and has made great improvements in patient safety.
Solihull’s Rheumatology Team won the Chief Executive’s Award after setting up a new type of patient clinic as a pilot project.
Befriending volunteer at Solihull Anna Williamson triumphed in the Volunteer of the Year Award for her outstanding contribution to patient experience.
Sarita Jacob, who is based at Solihull and Heartlands, won the Training, Education and Wellbeing Award.
Interim Chief Executive Dame Julie Moore, who presented several of the night’s awards, said: “This is one of my favourite events of the year.
“It is an occasion to celebrate the achievements of those working for and within the Trust who don’t only do their job – they go above and beyond what is expected of them; so much so that colleagues, patients and relatives alike feel compelled to show their appreciation.”
