The Only National Awards For Non-Medical / Non-Clinical NHS Staff & Volunteers

Nomination

Award Category:

Estates & Ancillary

Individual or Team Nomination?

Team

Nominators Answer

Nominee's story :

This team really were the forgotten men of Rochdale Infirmary for many years. With the site earmarked for closure, and staffing reduced to a minimum to maintain essential services, the portering team were left without a manager or supervisor on site for over ten years. While some groups would rapidly sink and see their collective performance achieve only the bare minimum required of them, the Porters maintained their own inductions, training and attendance management with a little arm’s length support provided from other hospital sites in the Trust. As the global pandemic hit the Greater Manchester area, the importance of the Infirmary rapidly escalated and forgotten areas and wards were hurriedly re-opened to support the local health system. The portering team picked up additional activity almost daily, also changing their shift patterns and rotas to ensure the huge increase in clinical partners and patients could use the hospital safely and effectively. With little on-site support still the usual, the team developed their own links with colleagues from Infection Prevention & Control, Health & Safety and Procurement to protect each other, their in-patients, and out-patients to the best of their ability. In 2022, the Trust recognised the role the Infirmary could continue to play for the wider area, and the permanent requirement for the portering service to remain and further develop. Consequently, two Duty Manager roles were introduced to the team, one from within and one brought from outside the Trust. With the breadth of skills, knowledge and experience the managers and porters now shared, the department went on to create an exemplar waste management service, which is being rolled out across the Trust and beyond. During 2023, the team have continued to improve the services they provide and their communications and impact across the Rochdale care organisation, and with representation on various committees and steering groups they are rightly considered as valid and respected voices that are recognised and required to attend to ensure the wider Facilities team is heard and remains at the forefront of the patient experience. As a relatively new member of the Estates & Facilities directorate, I can see and appreciate the confidence and respect held by executives, clinicians, and visitors to the Infirmary when they talk about or deal directly with the Porters. This small band of brothers have supported each other and maintained the essential services involved in daily hospital life without any intervention, any drama, any investigations, or issues, for over ten years. It is only right that they are now receiving investment in their accommodation, equipment, uniform, and the other aspects of working life that most would take for granted. It is also essential that their collective dedication to this community should be recognised and celebrated through nominations such as this!