A celebration event was held by Liverpool Women’s Hospital to showcase the wonderful work of their nurses, midwives and operating department practitioners.
In early May three days are celebrated each year to highlight the care, support and compassion midwives, nurses and operating department practitioners provide – International Day of the Midwife (5th May), International Nurses Day (12th May) (also Florence Nightingales Birthday) and National Operating Department Practitioners Day (14th May). To bring these three key days together Liverpool Women’s held a one day celebration event. The day captured the ongoing work of teams across the hospital, new projects and learning.
The day was attended by over 100 staff members from health care assistants, midwives, nurses, managers, support staff and members of the Board of Directors.
The event was opened by Liverpool Women’s Director of Nursing & Midwifery, Caron Lappin who said “I’m extremely proud of the individuals and teams I have the privilege of working with at Liverpool Women’s. Holding the celebration event was a fantastic opportunity for me to have different teams in one room, each with the same goal, to provide outstanding care to the women, babies and families of Liverpool and beyond. I felt the pride in the room as individuals shared a snippet into either their role, support they provide to patients and their families and exciting new upcoming projects. I am already looking forward to next year’s event.”
Presentations were given throughout the day which included topics from The Hewitt Fertility Centre on surrogacy and embryo transfer success rates for nurses and doctors. The Safeguarding Team shared knowledge of supporting patients who may have a learning disability and the impact on health outcomes. A member of the genetic counselling team gave an overview of a ‘Day in the life of a genetic counsellor’, followed by an overview from the research team on the changes and improvements to practice to help women and babies. The maternity team also provided an update on the Professional Midwifery Advocate using the A-EQUIP model, followed by the introduction of the Midwife at Home Team and knowledge sharing from the advanced clinical practitioners.
A special guest joined the day, Joy Kemp from the Royal Collage of Midwives who updated all in attendance on the importance of midwifery in the global context.
During the lunch break members of the board and senior team delivered fruit, cakes and sweets to all clinical areas, donated kindly by the League of Friends.
The event came to a close with the presentation of some special awards from the Director of Nursing & Midwifery, Caron Lappin, recognising and celebrating key achievements of individuals that have gone above and beyond.
Caron said “it was a real privilege to recognise those who have shown great care, compassion, commitment and dedication.”
The first well done was awarded to Operating Department Practitioner, Jo who is always consistently striving for excellence, creating a climate of learning and team work within the operating theatre.
Second went to Amanda a Health Care Support Worker on the Neonatal unit who was described as ‘the glue that holds the unit together’ and always with a smile.
Next well done went to Carol, Infant Feeding Midwife who has demonstrated amazing leadership throughout the past year which has revolutionised breastfeeding support within the Trust.
Next was for Lisa, a Gynaecology Nurse who was described as ‘a truly inspirational nurse’ with significant leadership qualities, supporting and looking after patients and their families.
Last but not least, the special recognition award went to Matron of the Neonatal Unit Val for her care, passion and leadership over the last 40 years.
A special award was also given out by the Head of Midwifery, Clare for The Royal College of Midwives ‘Midwife of the Year’, a huge congratulations and well done went to midwife Gina.
To end the week of celebrations Gynaecology Matrons, Gillian and Clare represented Liverpool Women’s at the service of remembrance for Florence Nightingale and Edith Cavell in Westminster Abbey, sharing the opportunity with other nurses. Matron Gillian also took the time to reflect on her 40 years as a nurse.