Awards for NHS community teams that never stop stepping up

Brilliant nursing teams, inspirational leaders, fabulous rising stars and compassionate clinicians were all celebrated at Kent Community Health NHS Foundation Trust’s (KCHFT) staff awards on Friday.

The ceremony showcased exceptional care and shined a spotlight on incredible individuals and community teams that have reset services and strived to innovate to find new ways to deliver high-quality care faster.

It was the chance to reflect on a year in which KCHFT ran five large-scale vaccination centres, while its community hospitals cared for more than 2,200 patients, 140,000 patients were treated in its urgent treatment centre and minor injury units, and community teams carried out 1.5million face-to-face and 550,000 virtual appointments.

Chair John Goulston: “It was a year many of us don’t want to revisit, but it was important we celebrated the dedication given by our colleagues. It’s not been an easy time for anyone, but whatever role they were in, they never stopped stepping up to make sure our patient care remained high.”

Earlier this year, a judging panel of colleagues and patients from KCHFT read through more than 250 nominations.