Our News

Staff from Peterborough City, Hinchingbrooke and Stamford & Rutland Hospitals came together last night to celebrate the fantastic achievement of completing their Care Certificates and vocational qualifications.

The Care Certificate is based on 15 standards, which staff need to complete to become fully qualified as a Healthcare Support Worker. In total, 48 new Healthcare Assistants were presented with their Care Certificates, which they had achieved within the first fifteen weeks of their employment in the Trust. Another five members of staff were presented with certificates for apprenticeship qualifications, including Business Administration, Diploma in Healthcare and Learner Mentor apprenticeship.

In addition to the Care Certificates and qualification certificates, the evening saw the Outstanding Learner Awards presented. These awards are nominated by other colleagues that reflect the Trust values: Putting Patients First, Actively Respectful, Seeking to Improve and Develop, Caring and Compassionate and Working Positively Together.

Samantha Russell, Healthcare Assistant Mentor at the Trust, won the Actively Respectful category for the support she gave to a Healthcare Assistant who had additional learning needs and required a different approach to normal. Samantha kept up excellent communication, giving detailed feedback to the ward team which helped them to support staff member. She kept patient safety at the heart of their practice and demonstrated that they could be actively respectful towards a new starters’ individual needs even though it was challenging on a busy medical ward.

Samantha said: “I was very shocked to receive the award, I wasn’t aware I had been nominated. It was lovely to be recognised for the work that I did with my new starter. And the support that I had given. I would also just like to say congratulations to my colleagues who also received an outstanding learner award.”

The celebration event was held at Peterborough City Hospital and saw a number of staff across various wards and deparments attend to receive their qualification certificates. Jo Bennis, Chief Nurse for the Trust said: “I would like to offer my congratulations to each individual for their achievements and to the five winners in our Outstanding Learner Awards. It was a wonderful evening of celebration and great to acknowledge the hard work that our staff undertake for their qualifications alongside their normal working hours.”