Making a Difference Award winners

The Emergency Department team have gone above and beyond in supporting some of the Trust's most important communications campaigns this year.

Despite working in one of the busiest and most challenging clinical environments, they stepped forward to become the face of our No Excuse for Abuse campaign and recent heatwave safety campaign, demonstrating our value of Openness in action.

Their willingness to share their experiences helped create authentic and impactful communications that reached hundreds of thousands of people across our social media channels, connecting with audiences we may never otherwise have reached.

The No Excuse for Abuse campaign has contributed to a 59% increase in reported incidents of violence and aggression, helping to build a culture where colleagues feel more confident speaking up and reporting abuse.

The team also supported our heatwave campaign, helping communicate important public health messages and encouraging people to stay safe during periods of extreme weather.

Fronting social media campaigns takes courage, particularly for colleagues who already experience abuse in their day-to-day roles. They spoke openly, honestly and bravely to help protect colleagues, educate the public and ensure important messages were heard. Their commitment has made a genuine difference both inside and outside the Trust.

I am delighted to nominate Martin Cain for his contribution to patient safety. Martin has invested significant time and effort into supporting the implementation of National Safety Standards for Invasive Procedures (NatSSIPs 2), successfully helping to translate national guidance into practical, effective everyday theatre practice.

He has developed a clear, engaging, and accessible training video, that supports staff understanding and promotes consistency across teams. This resource will be invaluable in ensuring all staff, regardless of experience, feel able to confidently apply the eight steps within their roles. In addition, Martin provides ongoing hands-on support within the theatre environment, coaching and encouraging staff to embed these safety standards into routine practice.

Martin's professional and caring attitude is evident in everything he does. He is approachable, supportive, and genuinely invested in the development and wellbeing of his colleagues. He consistently fosters a culture of openness, collaboration, and shared responsibility, empowering staff to speak up and prioritise patient safety.

Through his dedication, enthusiasm, and commitment, Martin is making a meaningful and lasting impact on both patient safety and team confidence within theatres.

From the moment I arrived to the moment I left, every single member of the team I interacted with treated me with courtesy and respect. They were utterly professional and I always felt listened to and heard.

I've been in situations previously where you feel like you're on a treatment conveyor belt, but despite the sheer numbers of patients they must deal with each day, I always felt like I was being treated as an individual, and I never heard them treat anyone differently.

When I was rattled about needing to be there, they were reassuring. When I had questions, they calmly and kindly answered, even when it was the same question repeated. They made sure I had the information I needed. And they did their best to make the process as painless as possible when working in a system as large as Coventry hospital.

I wish I could thank them all by name, but I wasn't in a frame of mind to remember everyone's name. I was only allowed to pick one Trust value, and I chose the one that was important to me, but reflecting on my two days under their care, the environment I was in and the information provided on the notice boards, I say the MAU team embody all seven of your Trust values.

I am pleased to nominate Samantha Carey and Deborah Hammersley for the Making a Difference Award in recognition of their outstanding commitment to partnership working within our Outpatients service.

Samantha and Deborah consistently demonstrate exceptional collaboration, providing vital support to staff in securing outpatient rooms. They proactively support the securing of space, resolve technical system issues, and deliver guidance and training to colleagues. Their ability to respond quickly and effectively prevents clinic disruption and reduces the risk of patient cancellations.

Their strength lies not only in their technical expertise but in their partnership approach. They work seamlessly with multidisciplinary teams, identifying practical solutions that benefit both staff and patients. This includes suggesting improved room allocation opportunities that enhance service efficiency.

They bring enthusiasm, professionalism, and a continuous improvement mindset to their roles, always seeking innovative ways to better support users. Even during challenging situations, they remain approachable, positive, and solution-focused, fostering strong working relationships across teams.

Samantha and Deborah go above and beyond every day, embodying the value of partnership and making a meaningful difference to the smooth and effective delivery of our Outpatients service. I am extremely proud to have them in the team and strongly commend them for this recognition.