Warwick Hospital nurses recognised in annual awards

International Nurses Day is held on Florence Nightingale’s birthday, and is celebrated across the world to recognise the hard work of nurses.

This year the focus for South Warwickshire NHS Trust was not only on celebrating the work of nursing teams in the county but also taking the opportunity to highlight the benefits of good nutrition for patients in hospital.

To highlight patient’s nutrition in hospital the trust launched a Let’s Do lunch campaign, which welcomed the friends and family of patients to come and sit with them for lunch.

Director of nursing Helen Walton said: “The day was a great way to recognise and reward the hard work of our nursing staff here at the Trust.

“The Let’s Do Lunch campaign allowed the trust and Age UK to emphasise the benefits of good nutrition for patients.”

At Warwick Hospital, Age UK teamed up with the NHS Trust to hold a stand highlighting the seven steps to better nutrition in hospital.

Elizabeth Phillips, chief executive of Age UK Warwickshire, said: “Warwick Hospital’s proactive approach to better nutrition in hospitals is a great example of how hospitals can improve meal time experiences. Visitors can help as well by making meal times more social and, if necessary, assisting or encouraging loved ones to eat their meal.”

They also held the annual Woods Awards that recognises good nursing practice within both the hospital and community setting.

All hospital staff are able to vote for both individuals and nursing teams who have done something innovative that has enhanced patient experience or made improvements to patient dignity.

The Woods Awards were created in memory of Mrs Woods, a previous nurse, whose husband created a fund after she passed away with the sole purpose of recognising great nursing.