Staff at Benenden Hospital are recognised for their achievements and celebrate their hard work at the annual ‘Best of Benenden Awards 2022’. Here are the award-winners and what they have been recognised for.
Benenden's annual awards ceremony
The event, which is now its seventh year, was held at the Mercure Maidstone Great Danes Hotel on Friday 7 October and celebrated the great work that individuals and teams at the hospital have done throughout the course of the year.
Jane Abbott, Hospital Director said: “I am immensely proud that we have been able to come together and recognise our staff in person this year. Our staff are our greatest asset and are at the heart of Benenden Hospital. Without them we simply couldn’t do what we do, so this is our way of saying thank you to them for the work and support they have provided to our patients this past year.
Benenden's 2022 Achievements
“There has been lots to celebrate this year: being accredited with the Investors in People “We invest in Wellbeing” silver award, our National Joint Registry award for commitment to patient safety, our re-accreditation from JAG for our endoscopy unit and the launch of new services: fundoplication, cosmetic surgery and our female health hub, to name a few.
“We have celebrated our employees throughout the year, including International Nurses Day, Operating Department Practitioners Day and of course, Kathy Howard, who has been shortlisted for the Nursing Times Award as Nurse of the Year.
“All this could not happen without our people, and for this I am immensely proud of each and every one of them.”
The award categories and 2022 winners, are:
Clinical Excellence
This was awarded to those whose service went above and beyond to ensure excellent clinical standards which resulted in optimal patient outcomes.
Winners
- Healthcare Support Workers Outpatients Team
- Jane Styche
Non-clinical Excellence
This award recognises those who throughout the hospital assist with the patient experience process, ensuring that the hospital keeps running.
Winners
- Procurement Team
- Maisie Hayden
Unsung Hero Award (R.M. Society)
This award recognises an individual who regularly goes the extra mile without seeking special recognition and reward. and delivers a standard of excellence simply because they believe in Benenden Hospital, its values and patients.
Winners
- Jane Styche
- Tracey Alexander
Be Brave Award
This award recognises a team or individuals who challenge and ask ‘why’ as well as ‘why not’. These teams and individuals are continuous learners; not afraid of trying new concepts and ideas and adapt to change positively.
Winners
- Emma Aukett
- Leadership Team - (Kelly Young, Carly Spice, Karen Wood, Juliette Swarbrick)
Be Caring Award
This award recognises individuals who know what they do matters, supports colleagues, identifies opportunities to go the extra mile for patients, colleagues, visitors and the business. They are proud of Benenden Hospital and are trustworthy, honest and act with integrity.
Winners
- Rita Hendleman
- Rebecca Hansted
- Lee Chittenden
Be Connected Award
This award recognises a team or individuals who listen and understand each other and the departments/teams they interact with. They offer support to colleagues, actively seek feedback from others and have honest conversations to ensure that goals are met.
Winners
- Private Patients Team
- Elise St. John
Be Smart Award
This award recognises individuals who make decisions that balance the needs of members, patients, colleagues and expectations of the business. They look for new and better ways of working and spend members' money wisely.
Winners
- Gavin Stace
- Vicky Hawkes
- Eye Unit
GREATix
‘Learning from Excellence' is a growing movement nationally which encourages staff to learn lessons across all aspects of the patient experience. However, records of excellence do not have to be directly related to patient care, our non-clinical staff also have the opportunity to behave excellently, e.g. establishing a way to produce cost savings. Other examples of excellence might include:
- How efficiently patients are dealt with at reception
- How compassionate a member of staff was
- The excellence of a service helping patients as they prepare to leave hospital and return home
Winner
- Rebecca Sharp
Heart of the Hospital Award
This award recognises teams/individuals for their dedication, loyalty and commitment and consistently going above and beyond, retaining a sense of humour during difficult times and always being there to support colleagues.
Winners
- Fay Walsh
- Grounds Men
- Kelly Young
Lord Plant Travel Fellowship
The Lord Plant Memorial Trust Travelling Fellowship was established in 1987. A memorial to the late Lord Plant of Benenden who had been Chairman of the Benenden Healthcare Society for 23 years (then named the Post Office and Civil Service Sanatorium Society).
Fellowships have been awarded since 1988 and our people have travelled across many different countries in the World, to support their personal development and growth, but also to give back to other communities.
Winner
- Kate Minett
Jane Abbott, Hospital Director continued: “It’s great to work with such fantastic people. The staff at Benenden Hospital have continued to provide support, stability and their expert advice to patients throughout this period. They have supported one another through the tough times and have shown great resilience.
“I would like to say a huge congratulations to all those who were nominated and to all our winners.”
Published on 10 October 2022