Hospital staff recognised for incredible efforts

A SPECIALLY commissioned medal has been created in recognition of all staff across all departments at Tallaght University Hospital, and their “incredible” efforts over the past 18 months.

The local hospital last week held its fourth annual Hero Awards, where individual staff members and teams are recognised for the difference they make to patients, their families and their colleagues.

This year, alongside the presentation of individual and team awards, a symbolic gesture was made to all staff by Tallaght University Hospital (TUH) management and the Medical Board.

According to Director of HR at TUH, Sharon Larkin: “In addition to the Covid pandemic this year our staff also faced the challenges brought by the cyber-attack.

“In addition to the Hero Awards, we presented a specially commissioned medal on behalf of the Hospital Management team and Medical Board.

“This medal is a symbolic gesture to recognise the incredible TUH team effort that staff across every service and discipline have made to our patients and one another during the most challenging of times.

“It is a symbol for us all to have to remember what we have achieved and overcome in the last 18 months.”

Susan Graydon and Audrey Francis, Patient Food Services, Catering Department, presented with the People caring for People Award by CEO Lucy Nugent (left)

As part of the TUH Heroes programme, awards were presented to individual staff members and teams, including Dr Marianne Foley.

As part of the Hero Awards, members of the local community, patients and their families are encouraged to nominate their hospital heroes through the Patient Experience category.

This year, the community award was presented to Junior Doctor, Marianne Foley, who was nominated by the family of a patient.

In their nomination, the family said that Dr Foley “has been absolutely outstanding in her care and dedication” to their loved one, hailing her communication and compassion.

Dr Foley joined a number of TUH staff and teams on this year’s roll of honour, who were nominated by their peers, management and the Chief Executive.

Among this year’s recipients was the ICT Department, which demonstrated “incredible innovation, commitment and energy” following the arrival of Covid-19 and the subsequent cyber-attack.

The Covid-19 Vaccination Team, made up of more than 70 staff members from across a range of departments, was also awarded Team of the Year, for implementing TUH’s vaccination programme.

Ms Lucy Nugent, Chief Executive of TUH, said: “The Covid-19 Pandemic has presented us all both professionally and personally with enormous challenges.

“No one could ever have envisaged the changes we would have undergone in providing care to our patients or how our own lives would alter.

“Every single person working across the hospital has had to adapt and this has been done with incredible spirit, compassion and dedication, always putting the patient and their families first.

“I would like to congratulate all of the award recipients and thank them for the incredible energy and commitment they bring to the hospital.”

TUH Chief Executive Lucy Nugent and Dr Michael Alexander, Consultant in Clinical Neurophysiology & Honorary Treasurer of the Hospital Medical Board, presenting Maria McArdle (centre) with the Teamwork Award

Category awards were presented to ……

Patient Experience – Dr Marianne Foley, Junior Doctor

People Caring for People – Susan Graydon & Audrey Francis, Patient Food Services, Catering Department

Unsung Hero – Ann Creaven, Outpatient Department Manager

Service Excellence – Damien O’Connor, Facility Officer, Trinity Education Centre

Mentoring Award – Nicola Lowry, Senior Enhanced Nurse, Lane Ward

Teamwork Award – Maria McArdle CNM2 Discharge Planning

Team of the Year – COVID-19 Vaccination Team

CEO Awards – ICT Department and John O’Byrne, Acting Head of the Pharmacy Department