On Tuesday 23rd November we celebrated the second-ever Nursing Support Workers' Day by putting the spotlight on the vital contribution our nursing support worker make to patient care across the hospital. Nursing support workers are vital members of our nursing teams working in wards and clinics with children and adults in all aspects of physical and mental health. They play a critical role in securing high-quality care and excellent outcomes for patients.

The first picture shows the three Health Care Assistants (HCAs) who were nominated by their managers to represent DGT in the NHS England and NHS Improvement Virtual Conference to celebrate Health Care Support Workers Day 2021. They are Leanne Perry and Rachel Price from our Emergency Department and Lee Rutherford from Surgical Admissions Lounge. Zoe Hancox from Cherry Ward was also nominated but unfortunately was unable to attend due to being needed on the ward. Well done to these staff members for their hard work and thank you for representing DGT in such a positive manner! Also thank you to their management for nominating them.

The rest of our HCA staff on duty that day were sung to, praised, thanked, photographed, treated with chocolates and trinkets, and generally made to feel appreciated, which is what the day is all about. A massive thank you to all of our HCA staff who are greatly appreciated. 

*also thank you to patient Russell who appears in one of the photographs!