Hospital urges community to nominate a healthcare hero

TIME IS running out to nominate staff at Tallaght University Hospital (TUH) for a special ‘Patients’ Experience Award with the closing date Friday, August 5.

Patients and families are being asked to help celebrate the clinical and non-clinical staff they feel have left a lasting impression by nominating them for an award.

TUH aim is to acknowledge a member of staff who has gone above and beyond to provide exceptional levels of care to patients and families.

The award is open to patients and their loved ones to nominate the person they feel made a real difference to them during their time at the Hospital.

The winning nominee will be presented with their award at a special ceremony in September, alongside winners in five other categories to be voted for by staff within the Hospital.

Declan Daly, Chair of the Patient Community Advisory Council representing the community on the judging panel said: “The last two years of the pandemic have taken so many opportunities from us to celebrate different achievements. I am so looking forward to the Heroes Ceremony in September – it is the first time in a long time that our TUH Heroes will have the opportunity to celebrate their award with their loved ones, friends and colleagues.

Declan Daly, Chair of the Patient Community Advisory Council at the launch earlier this year

“I am honoured to represent the community on the panel that reviews all of the submissions and read first-hand the incredible difference acts of kindness and thoughtfulness by a staff member can make to the healthcare journey of a patient and indeed their family. I would encourage everyone to take a few minutes before August 5 and fill out a submission in the hospital or send an email to TallaghtHeroes@tuh.ie”

Lucy Nugent, Chief Executive of TUH commenting on the Awards said: “Our Heroes Ceremony is a much anticipated event each year, it is so important to receive nominations from our community to hear the stories of staff members who have made a difference to patients and their families.

“There is no doubt that the last two years have been challenging for staff and it is incredibly heartening to see the boost a colleague can get from someone taking the time to let them know of the difference that they made to a patient or their family during their care.

“As well as presenting a Hero Award at a ceremony, each staff member who receives a nomination gets the feedback received. There are so many demands on all of our time, but I hope our patients and their families can take a few minutes of a day to make a submission.”

Application forms for members of the public to vote for the Community Nominated Patient Experience Award can be found through the Hospital Facebook page.

The application forms can be emailed to TallaghtHeroes@tuh.ie or sent by post to TUH 2022 Heroes Entries, c/o The Human Resources Department, Tallaght University Hospital, Dublin 24 NROA.

All submissions will be reviewed by a panel of judges chaired by Declan Daly, chair of the Hospitals Patient Community Advisory Council.