Awards

• Macclesfield District General became the first hospital in the country to have key wards, including A&E, awarded Autism Accreditation by the National Autistic Society.  Find out more here.

• Work taking place under the Care Communities project received national recognition at a major event. A poster presented by Care Community staff was voted the best out of over 60 at the 2019 Cardiovascular Disease Conference in Manchester. The poster highlighted work to support patients with heart failure in the Bollington, Disney and Poynton (BDP) Care Community.

• The trust was named one of the CHKS Top Hospitals for the ninth consecutive year. The Top Hospitals award is a prestigious data-driven accolade which takes into consideration all trusts in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, and the trust was also a finalist in the Data Quality category of the awards. Find out more here. 

• The trust was rated ‘Good’ by the Care Quality Commission with multiple areas of outstanding practice following a major inspection in January 2018.
• The trust was named one of the top 40 hospital operators in the country for the eighth consecutive year via the CHKS Top Hospitals Programme in May 2018. This year the trust also received the CHKS Most Improved Award.
• The trust’s Maternity Department was one of just four nationally which performed ‘better than expected’ across all labour and birth questions in the CQC’s Maternity Services Survey and received an overall rating of 9/10.
• The trust won the 'Changing Culture' category in the HSJ Patient Safety Awards 2018 for our work managing winter pressures in 2017/18, including implementing a ‘runner’ system.
• The trust's Finance Department was awarded Level 2 - High Level of Performance Award under the Skills Development Network’s ‘Towards Excellence’ scheme following a rigorous evidence-based selection process.
• The trust was awarded Bronze in Mind’s Workplace Wellbeing Index 2017-2018. This means we are achieving change within our workplace in relation to staff members' mental health.
• Our Clinical Simulation Centre was accredited by the North West Simulation Education Network which shows we can deliver multi-professional education to the highest standard.
• The trust took part in the NHS Employers Diversity & Inclusion Partner scheme 2017/18 to help assess diversity and equality across the healthcare system. As part of this, the trust was also involved in shaping the national Workforce Disability Equality Standard.
• Positive results from recent NHS Staff Surveys tell us that staff are seeing improved communication from senior management and have greater confidence that the trust takes action to support employee health and wellbeing. We are performing better than the national average in overall staff engagement, staff motivation and staff ability to contribute towards improvements at work.
• Karen Clayton, Macmillan Lung Cancer Lead Nurse with East Cheshire NHS Trust, was given the Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother’s Award for Outstanding Service at a recent Queen’s Nursing Institute ceremony. Karen, who is based at Macclesfield Hospital, was one of just five nurses nationally to receive the award, which she received at a ceremony which featured Call the Midwife star Stephen McGann

• In March the trust received a strong endorsement as a place to work via the latest NHS Staff Survey, with employees of the trust reporting feeling more engaged and motivated – and more likely to recommend the trust as a place to work or receive treatment. Staff also reported improvements in support and communication from managers, better team working and the trust was above average for the percentage of staff who believe the organisation provides equal opportunities for career progression or promotion, at 90%.

• In May the trust was named one of the top 40 hospital operators in the country for the seventh consecutive year via the CHKS Top Hospitals Programme. The award was given to the trust once more following evaluation of over 22 key performance indicators covering safety, clinical effectiveness, health outcomes, efficiency, patient experience and quality of care.

• In October the trust’s Children's Research Team were finalists for Research Team of the Year at the fifth annual Greater Manchester Clinical Research Awards. Simply being shortlisted for the award is a significant achievement as the awards received an unprecedented 160 high-quality nominations in 2017.

• Dr Darren Kilroy was named Procurement Champion of the Year in the North West Excellence in Supply Awards in October. Dr Kilroy, who is a Deputy Medical Director and ED consultant at the trust, was nominated by colleagues for his leadership in supporting cost reductions while prioritising patient safety.

• In November trust district nursing sister and University of Chester nursing student Jodie Carr (pictured above) was recognised as one of the highest-achieving nurses in the country when she received the Philip Goodeve-Docker Memorial Prize, a Queen’s Nursing Institute (QNI) award.

• In December the trust’s Information Standard accreditation was renewed by NHS England following a rigorous assessment of its patient information processes. The Information Standard provides a recognised ‘quality mark’ which indicates that an organisation is a reliable source of health and social care information.

• In May the trust was named in the CHKS list of top-performing hospital operators for the fifth year in a row.

• In August the trust was awarded an £11.3 million contract to deliver sexual health services across the Cheshire East Council footprint for the next five years. This followed the trust’s success in a tender to deliver sexual health services across the Cheshire West and Chester footprint the previous year.

• In October the catering service at Macclesfield Hospital became only the second hospital in England to be awarded the Soil Association Food for Life Bronze Catering Mark for both its restaurant food and its patient food, recognising its drive for fresh meals and good food for all.

• In December 2015 trust ED nurse and bed manager Rachel Falconer (pictured above) was presented with the Ebola Military Medal by Prince William for her role helping Ebola patients in Sierra Leone. Like a number of trust colleagues, Rachel serves with 207 Field Hospital of the Army Reserves.

East Cheshire NHS Trust and arvato UK scoop the national award for HR transformation

A partnership between East Cheshire NHS Trust and arvato UK has been recognised as one of the best examples of efficiency and improvement in the NHS at a national healthcare awards ceremony.The partners were named winners at the Health Service Journal's (HSJ) prestigious Value in Healthcare Awards, for transforming the delivery of HR services at the trust. They saw off stiff competition from four other shortlisted entries to claim the title of Value and Improvement through Outsourcing. Judges said they were impressed with the “amazing cultural change” that had taken place at East Cheshire NHS Trust, delivering “demonstrable benefits” to employees and patients. arvato UK has been working with East Cheshire NHS Trust since 2013 and operates its HR shared service centre. The partnership has delivered 28% cost reduction for the trust and introduced a range of improvements, including a standardised HR model which has succeeded in cutting the number of calls to its HR helpdesk by 25%. It has also achieved a very high customer satisfaction rating.

 
Trust’s Estates department wins top industry award

Staff from East Cheshire NHS Trust’s Estates department are celebrating after winning a top industry award in partnership with contractors C365Cloud. 

The award, for Best Evidence-Based Compliance with Estates and Facilities-related CQC Standards, was presented to the team by trade publication Building Better Healthcare at a ceremony in London in November. The award recognises estates and facilities management services that can evidence awareness of and compliance with CQC standards. The judges were looking for examples of improvement against current standards and how estates and facilities departments play a key role within their organisation in responding to CQC standards.
 
Head of Estates Rob Few said: “The award is testament to our commitment to driving and taking charge of change, rather than standing by and letting it happen. Ultimately this brings efficiencies and cost savings which in turn help the trust’s financial position and quality of care for patients.”

 
East Cheshire NHS Trust health visitor named in a prestigious fellowship programme

An East Cheshire NHS Trust health visitor has become one of the first in the country to join a prestigious development programme run by a professional body. Crewe-based team leader Andrea Johns was named as one of just 150 health visitors across the country this year to enter the Institute of Health Visiting’s (iHV’s) Fellowship programme. In order to be accepted on the programme, Andrea based at Crewe’s Eagle Bridge Health and Wellbeing Centre, went through a rigorous application process during which she was assessed for her contribution to health visiting and in turn to children, families and communities in general. Andrea also had to show her ability to demonstrate excellence in practice and leadership potential. This year, Andrea organised a visit by department of Health Director of Nursing Viv Bennett to Eagle Bridge and helped East Cheshire NHS Trust health visitors gain UNICEF’s prestigious Baby Friendly Award for their efforts to promote breastfeeding. 

 
Cheshire health visitors receive UNICEF award for breastfeeding efforts

Health visitors from across central and eastern Cheshire are celebrating after being awarded UNICEF‟s prestigious Baby Friendly Award. The health visitors, employed by East Cheshire NHS Trust and working in partnership with Cheshire East Council, had to demonstrate to UNICEF inspectors that they use best practice to protect, promote, and support breastfeeding in the area.

The teams, operating from bases including Crewe, Winsford, Nantwich and Knutsford, were also recognised for strengthening mother-baby and family relationships. 

East Cheshire NHS Trust makes top hospitals list for fourth year running

East Cheshire NHS Trust has been named in a list of top-performing hospital operators for the fourth year in a row. The trust, which runs Macclesfield District General Hospital, Congleton War Memorial Hospital and Knutsford Community Hospital, was named one of the CHKS 40Top Hospitals 2014. The ‘40Top’ award, which the trust has received every year since 2011, is one of several awards which form part of the Top Hospitals programme run by CHKS Ltd – a company which provides healthcare intelligence and quality improvement services.The 40Top award is based on the evaluation of 22 key performance indicators covering safety, clinical effectiveness, health outcomes, efficiency, patient experience and quality of care.

East Cheshire NHS Trust dental clinics gain mouth cancer screening accreditation

Dental clinics run by East Cheshire NHS Trust have been awarded an important accreditation from the country's leading mouth cancer charity. Clinics in Alderley Edge, Handforth, Northwich and Macclesfield have achieved full membership of the Mouth Cancer Foundation's newly-launched, potentially life-saving Mouth Cancer Screening Accreditation Scheme*. The scheme promotes the importance of checking for signs of mouth cancer and raises awareness among both patients and dental practices. In order to achieve the accreditation, staff from the trust's Dental Services branch undertook specific training and attended local events to raise public awareness around the early signs of mouth cancer.  

Macclesfield first hospital in UK to gain autism accessibility award

Macclesfield District General Hospital has become the first hospital in the UK to be given an Autism Access Award by the National Autistic Society (NAS), the UK's leading charity for people affected by autism. The accolade is in recognition of East Cheshire NHS Trust's extensive efforts to make the hospital more accessible for patients with the lifelong developmental disability, which affects around 700,000 people in the UK. Autism impacts how a person communicates with others and relates to the world around them. As a result, under normal circumstances a visit to the unfamiliar environment of a hospital can be an incredibly challenging and distressing experience for someone with the condition. To make Macclesfield Hospital more accessible, the trust took various steps, including the creation of an autism-friendly 'quiet route' into the hospital, which gives full access to the building but with fewer distractions and people along the way.The trust also developed a new 'autism link practitioner' role – a named contact whose job it is to support autistic patients ahead of treatment in Macclesfield Hospital and make any reasonable adjustments they might need to aid their visit. To date, over 90 employees have become link practitioners. Modules in autism awareness have also become part of the mandatory training for the hospital's clinical staff, with more than 1,000 staff now trained, and the trust has consulted closely with local autism support groups. 

East Cheshire NHS Trust chief executive listed in HSJ Top 50 2014

The chief executive of East Cheshire NHS Trust has been listed as one of the top 50 leaders of NHS trusts in England. John Wilbraham was featured in the Health Service Journal's Top 50 Chief Executives 2014. John was nominated anonymously by fellow NHS trust chief executives and shortlisted by a judging panel of leading experts, including NHS England's medical director, Sir Bruce Keogh. The 51-year-old, who lives in Warrington, has been with the trust for 12 years. He joined as finance director in 2002 and was appointed chief executive a year later. In its comments about John, the Health Service Journal outlines how he led negotiations to integrate community services worth £45 million from Central and Eastern Cheshire PCT in 2011, broadening the scope of East Cheshire NHS Trust and increasing its sustainability as a provider of NHS care.

 
Macclesfield Hospital colleagues win major dentistry award

A surgeon and dentist who work at Macclesfield Hospital have succeeded in winning one of dentistry’s top national awards after helping a young woman eat properly again. Oral and maxillofacial surgeon Manu Patel and consultant dentist Maria McNally won the Interdisciplinary category at this year’s Aesthetic Dentistry Awards for their work on the orthodontic and jaw surgery case. Their work helped to change the life of the woman who had a severely misshapen jaw and teeth, which made eating uncomfortable and difficult. Maria helped to reposition the woman’s teeth with braces, before Manu was then able to complete the correction process with an operation on her jaws during surgery at Stockport’s Stepping Hill Hospital, where Maria and Manu also work.
 
Macclesfield Hospital stroke coordinator nominated for top award

A healthcare professional who has dedicated most of his working life to helping stroke patients has been nominated for a prestigious award.Stephen Cross, stroke coordinator at Macclesfield District General Hospital, was put forward for the Professional Excellence category in the Stroke Association’s Life After Stroke awards. Stephen, who trained as a nurse at Macclesfield Hospital in the early 1980s and has since spent 23 years caring for stroke patients, is a senior member of staff on Ward 11 – the hospital’s specialist stroke unit. Stephen, aged 48, was nominated for the award by Stroke Association employee Diane Warhurst, who has worked alongside him for over five years. Diane works closely with Stephen through her role as an information, advice and support coordinator, which involves helping stroke survivors manage life once they are discharged from hospital.

Nurse recognised for bravery after saving neighbour's life

A brave nurse from East Cheshire NHS Trust has been recognised for her courage after saving the life of a neighbour who had been viciously attacked with a knife. Becky Bickley, an out-of-hours nurse based at Leighton Hospital in Crewe, was off duty and in her pyjamas when she sprang into action following a stabbing close to her home. Becky, aged 35, was enjoying a quiet night in after celebrating her ninth wedding anniversary earlier in the day with paramedic husband Ian - who was out working a shift – when there was a hammering on the door. Mum of one, Becky was told there had been a stabbing and grabbing a tea towel she ran out of the front door. She managed to stem the bleeding and fitted a cannula at the scene before the victim was whisked off to hospital. Following the incident big-hearted Becky then cared for the victim’s children for several nights while dealing with the police and social services. Thanks to her actions the victim of the attack made a successful recovery and Becky is now going to receive bravery awards from Staffordshire Police and Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court. She was also awarded £300 by the court for her actions and has also been nominated for a Sentinel Our Heroes award in the NHS Heroes category. 

Pat secures Queen's Nursing Institute success for East Cheshire NHS Trust

Pat Bowcock, a School Nurse at East Cheshire NHS Trust has developed, Text 4 Health, an initiative that has been chosen as one of ten new nurse-led projects from across the country by The Queen’s Nursing Institute. Text 4 Health will provide text and email health advice to young people aged 11-16 that is confidential, timely and relevant, helping to break down the barriers that deter them from accessing health services. The school nurses will also provide a ‘clinic in a box’ service which will include emergency contraception, condoms, pregnancy testing and Chlamydia testing.

Local team wins prestigious award

East Cheshire NHS Trust’s Macmillan End of Life Care Team has won a prestigious title at the 2012 Macmillan Excellence Awards.

The awards launched in 2011 were developed to celebrate the outstanding work carried out by Macmillan professionals. There are over 5,000 Macmillan health and social care professionals across the UK, many of whom are specialists in their area of cancer care and leaders in their field.

The trust’s Macmillan End of Life Care Team was nominated in the Team Excellence Award category – for teams that have made a significant contribution to their service or produced an exemplary piece of work.

Trust named in national top 40 for a second year

East Cheshire NHS Trust has again been rated one of the CHKS 40 Top Hospitals in the UK for a second year. The CHKS 40Top Hospitals 2012 programme celebrates excellence amongst NHS trusts across the UK and are based on the evaluation of 23 key performance indicators covering safety, clinical effectiveness, health outcomes, efficiency, patient experience and quality of care.

Respiratory Team wins national award for the second year running

The Integrated Respiratory Team at East Cheshire NHS Trust are celebrating after winning the annual North West Respiratory Best Practice ‘Team of the Year Award’ on 28 March 2012 at the Reebok Stadium, Bolton.

East Cheshire NHS Trust get Olympic 2012 Inspire Mark

East Cheshire NHS Trust has been granted the Inspire mark by the London 2012 Inspire programme. The London 2012 Inspire programme recognises innovative and exceptional projects that are directly inspired by the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

The trust has received the award in recognition for their efforts towards the NHS 2012 Sport and Physical Activity Challenge that has helped staff improve their health and wellbeing through simple changes in their work and personal lives.

NHS 2012 Olympic challenge Silver Award

East Cheshire NHS Trust was awarded a Silver Accreditation for their efforts towards the NHS 2012 Sport and Physical Activity Challenge, at an awards ceremony hosted by Sir David Nicholson, Chief Executive for the NHS in England, on 22 November 2011 in London.

National 'Healthcare Champion' award for Macclesfield Consultant Rheumatologist 2011

Macclesfield District General Consultant Rheumatologist, Dr Susan Knight is celebrating after a patient’s nomination has helped her to be named a national Healthcare Champion, at the annual National Rheumatoid Arthritis Society (NRAS) Healthcare Champions awards, held on 1 November at The House of Commons.

The awards provide the opportunity to celebrate the dedication, professionalism and excellent care given by those healthcare professionals that go ‘the extra mile’ to provide the best possible outcomes for the many people coping with RA.

Guardian Public Service Awards 2011

East Cheshire NHS trust have successfully been named runners in the Guardian Public Services Awards 2011 Children's and young people category. The trust were highly commended for running hospital visit 'practice' sessions to help children with disabilities to overcome their fear of going to hospital. 

National quality award for Macclesfield District General’s Cancer Resource Centre

East Cheshire NHS Trust has been awarded the Macmillan Quality Environment Mark (MQEM) for its cancer-care facilities. The Quality Mark, granted by the UK's leading cancer charity Macmillan Cancer Support, recognises the high level of care provided by Macclesfield District General Hospital’s Cancer Resource Centre.

Clinical Excellence Awards 2011

East Cheshire Trust seeks to continually improve the safety, quality and overall patient experience for the members of the public who use our service.

The Department of Health has laid out a framework for Employer Based Rewards for Consultant Doctors known as Clinical Excellence Awards (CEA). These are used as part of a national and competitive recognition and reward system aimed at providing professional stretch at a range of different levels; individual, departmental, organisational, regional or national and system wide. As part of this process the trust makes local awards through the national Clinical Excellence Award process to consultants who have excelled in this work here.

This year saw 19 applications and awards have been made to the following: 

• Mohammad Waseem, Orthopaedics
• Usman Khan, General Surgery
• Ang Ho, Paediatrics
• Say Aun Quah, Ophthalmology
• Naveen Vasireddy, Radiology
• Timothy Kingston, Dermatology

Children’s Safeguarding Team at East Cheshire NHS Trust awarded for outstanding contribution in the community

Melanie Barker, Designated Nurse for Safeguarding and and Dr Tina Marinaki, Designated Doctor for Safeguarding at East Cheshire NHS Trust have been recognised for their work in safeguarding children in the local community, by the Cheshire East Local Safeguarding Children’s Board.

The Cheshire East Local Safeguarding Children’s Board Awards are the first of their kind and celebrate the contribution made to making children safer in the community.

East Cheshire NHS Trust named in national top 40 for 2011

East Cheshire NHS Trust has been named one of the top 40 hospital trusts in the country.

The trust picked up the accolade at the CHKS 40 Top Hospitals for 2011 awards in London on 10 May 2011. These awards celebrate excellence and are based on the evaluation of 21 key performance indicators covering safety, clinical effectiveness, health outcomes, efficiency, patient experience and quality of care.

East Cheshire NHS Trust midwives win national midwifery award 2011

The Supervisors of Midwives Team (Grace Hopps, Lynda Moorcroft, Lorraine Perry, Heather Millward, Amanda Lucas, Michelle Moran, Beverley Walsh and Elaine Alston) from the Maternity Department at East Cheshire NHS Trust, won the ‘Excellence in Supervision Award’ at the prestigious British Journal of Midwifery Awards 2011 on 5 May, held at The Palace Hotel, Manchester.

The awards ceremony, held at the Palace Hotel in Manchester, highlights and rewards excellence in evidence-based midwifery practice. A panel of well-respected judges paid particular attention to initiative

Respiratory Team win a top award for best practice in integrated care 2011

The Integrated Respiratory Team at East Cheshire NHS Trust has won an award for best practice in integrated care at the North West Respiratory Best Practice Awards, held on 30 March at the Reebok Stadium, Bolton.

The North West Respiratory Best Practice Awards selected the team as winners of the 2011 ‘Highly commended award for integrated care’, which recognises new approaches to delivering respiratory care that improves quality, saves money and attains positive patient experience.

The teams new integrated service benefits respiratory patients across central and eastern Cheshire, by aiming to discharge patients early with COPD (Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) at home, assisting and managing same day discharge and directly supporting patients within their own homes, avoiding a hospital admission altogether. In addition the team provides specialist community clinics, education, oxygen assessment services, pulmonary rehabilitation and respiratory palliative care.

Multidisciplinary Team of the Year, from prestigious international nursing journal 2011

Team members from Central and Eastern Cheshire End of Life Service Team have been awarded ‘Best Multidisciplinary Care Team of the year’ at the prestigious International Journal of Palliative Nursing Awards 2011. The awards were held at The Landmark Hotel, on the evening of Thursday, 24 March 2011, to celebrate the outstanding work carried out by palliative nurses worldwide.

"End of Life Care" aims to improve the quality of care at the end of life for all patients across all settings and disease types, enabling more patients to live and die in their place of choice.

Supported by Macmillan Cancer Support, Greater Manchester and Cheshire Cancer Network, and engagement from professionals across Cheshire, this dynamic model of care offers a multidimensional approach to the delivery of end of life care to patients.

Guardian Public Services Award 2010

East Cheshire NHS Trust entered the Guardian Public Services Awards in the category of Partnership Working. The trust, in partnership with the Learning Disabilities Group, the local mental health trust, East Cheshire Advocacy and two independent learning disabilities service providers, has developed the patient passport.

This is an easy to use reference guide all about the patient and as such the people with learning disabilities can experience guaranteed quality personalised care tailored to their needs. East Cheshire NHS Trust and partners were awarded the runners up accolade at the ceremony on Tuesday 23 November 2010. The winner was HMP Forest Bank.

Top award for hospital midwife

A midwife at Macclesfield District General Hospital is celebrating after being awarded Midwife of the Year.
 
Elaine Alston, Practice Development Midwife at East Cheshire NHS Trust, which runs the hospital, was presented with the prestigious accolade at the British Journal of Midwifery Practice Awards 2010, held in London earlier this year.

The award aims to highlight and reward excellence in evidence-based midwifery. Elaine was recognised by a panel of judges to be an indispensable pillar of the midwifery community, and for demonstrating outstanding dedication and commitment to the care of mothers and babies. The award offers great recognition for the maternity service at the East Cheshire NHS Trust.

Patient Safety Awards for Stroke Team 2010

A team of dedicated staff who came together with a solution on how to give patients who have had a stroke better care, were selected as finalists for the Patient Safety Awards 2010.

The Stroke Oracle database at East Cheshire NHS Trust was created to hold information on all stroke patients throughout their journey through the hospital. It merges information already on the patient administration system with information entered by clinical teams who are actually caring for the patient, directly into the Oracle. The data is recorded and reported in real time. Vital patient safety data can be accessed, analysed and reported on at the click of a button, which means that issues can be identified and addressed immediately, rather than having to wait for national audit results. 

CHKS Quality of Care Award 2010

From all trusts in the country, East Cheshire NHS Trust was one of five trusts short listed this year (2010) for the CHKS Quality of Care Award. As a short listed nominee this represents a significant achievement for our trust and highlights all the effort and excellent work undertaken by the staff working at the trust. The award is awarded nationally for excellence in high quality care to patients, appropriate to their diagnosis, it is based on a number of criteria including the length of time patients stay in hospital, the rate of emergency re-admissions and whether the care pathway proceeded as originally intended.

NHS North West Leadership Academy Awards 2010

Kathy Cowell, the trust former Chairman was nominated for the Outstanding Non Executive Director Award at the NHA North West Leadership Academy annual conference. Kathy was one of three finalists at the event.  

Gold Award for Training Department of the Year at the 2010 Annual Institute of IT Training Awards 2010

The Cheshire ICT Service, a shared service for the trust, scooped the prestigious gold award for Training Department of the year at the 2010 Annual Institute of IT Training Awards for a magnificent second year in a row. The awards were announced in London on 4 February and the team also won finalist awards for staff development programme of the year and training manager of the year. The judges were particularly impressed with the department’s obvious attention to providing better healthcare through the effective use of IT. The Cheshire ICT Service works with NHS organisations across Cheshire providing ICT services to GP practices, hospitals and primary care trusts.