Outstanding staff recognised for changing the lives of patients

When the Queen Victoria Hospital asked its patients (past and present) to nominate staff they felt went the extra mile for them during their treatment or appointments, they were overwhelmed with the response.

The ask was for the hospital’s annual patient experience award which this year, because of such stiff competition, had joint winners: Consultant Plastic Surgeon, Tania Cubison, and Emergency Nurse Practitioner, Gill McMurdie.

One of Tania Cubison’s nominees said: “I’ve been a patient at QVH for 11 years, had countless surgeries (all of them successful). Physically I would be a double amputee rather than single without her. Her impression on me led to my son being called Archie in honour of her, the hospital and pioneering plastic surgeon Archibald McIndoe.”

Gill McMurdie who works in the hospital’s minor injuries unit was praised for potentially saving a patient’s life. One of her nominees said: “I visited the minor injuries unit after a fall. When I returned a week later to have my wound redressed Gill was very concerned about my level of chest pain. She carried out an ECG and urged me to go to A&E. Fortunately I took her advice seriously – a cardiac consultant later told me that had I not sought further help I would have suffered a massive heart attack, which could well have been terminal.” You can hear more from the patient in their own words in this short video.

Jo Thomas, Director of Nursing and Quality at Queen Victoria Hospital (QVH) explains why the awards are so important: “We hope that every member of staff makes the experience of our patients a positive one. But we know some of our staff are extra special. Tania and Gill are both very deserving winners and we’d like to congratulate them both and all of our staff who were nominated. I’d also like to thank all of our patients who took the time to get in touch. This award is a real testament to the positive impact our staff make.”

Speaking about winning the award Tania said: “The Queen Victoria Hospital is a great place to work and I really enjoy looking after the patients with my team. I was delighted to be nominated for the award and especially to have such an amazing response from the hospital staff when it was announced that I had won!”

This was echoed by Gill who said: “Whilst it is amazing to be nominated, let alone to win this award, the real win is in the excellent outcome for the patient.”

Queen Victoria Hospital would like to thank everyone who took time to nominate members of staff for the award and would encourage patients to continue passing on their feedback through its PALS service by email, or its Facebook, Twitter or Instagram channels.

Pictured: Consultant Plastic Surgeon Tania Cubison pictured with Director of Nursing and Quality Jo Thomas, and fellow award winner Emergency Nurse Practitioner Gill McMurdie.

For more information please contact the QVH Press Office on 01342 414508.