A team who are committed to enhancing cancer care services have won a national award.
The One Step at a Time team, which includes colleagues from The Princess Alexandra Hospital NHS Trust (PAHT), The Patient Panel at The Princess Alexandra Hospital NHS Trust, and the Hertfordshire and West Essex Integrated Care Board, won the Team of the Year category at The Royal College of Nursing (RCN) Awards 2022 in recognition of their work to promote the patient voice.
Together they produced a range of information for patients who have received a cancer diagnosis, focusing on a variety of video content and a printed pocket guide. The topics are explored by other patients and their loved ones, giving unique insights, and are available in different languages. This information is provided to patients when they receive a cancer diagnosis to support them on their journey throughout their treatment.
Shahid Sardar, associate director of patient engagement at PAHT, said: “This is an award recognising our incredible patients, because this is information for patients, by patients. Huge thanks to the public and staff for their incredible work and to the RCN for recognising its potential – it means a great deal to the team, who are dedicated to improving the experience of patients with cancer.
“One Step at a Time are continuing to develop the resources available for patients who receive a cancer diagnosis and are proud to be making a difference.”
Ann Nutt, chair of the Patient Panel at PAHT, said: “We have received great feedback about the information produced for patients who receive a cancer diagnosis, this came from our successful conference ‘Fight Cancer with Hope’ held at Harlow College in September 2021.
“It is a privilege to represent the patient voice and to have worked with patients and their loved ones to give the information that others need, at a difficult time when they need it most.”
Emma Harnett, Macmillan nurse for Hertfordshire and West Essex Integrated Care Board, added: “We are working together to help improve the lives of patients with cancer in west Essex and amplify the patient voice. We have a vision, cancer information by patients for patients, professionally produced, and we have put the patient at the heart and centre of what we do.
“Winning the RCN award is fantastic, with recognition from our peers in the nursing profession. We are so proud of what we have achieved as a team, and I’m proud to represent the nursing voice.”
Sharon McNally, director of nursing, midwifery and allied health professionals and deputy chief executive at PAHT, added: “Congratulations to the team on this amazing achievement – I feel incredibly privileged to work with such amazing colleagues and I am delighted to see them recognised. Well done to everyone involved.”
Pictured: From left, Emma Harnett, Ann Nutt and Shahid Sardar at the awards ceremony.
One Step at a Time are keen to expand its membership, if you are interested in joining and have experience of cancer and/or cancer services, please contact [email protected] to get involved.