NHS professionals celebrated the annual ELFT Staff Awards on Thursday, 19th October 2023, to acknowledge the great contributions of teams and individuals throughout East London and Bedfordshire in providing care across communities.
Staff returned to the popular Troxy entertainment venue in Whitechapel, London, to learn more about the accomplishments and successes of staff across primary, community and mental health care.
The evening began with a mash-up rendition of Ain’t No Mountain High Enough and Rise Up by the #ELFTin1Voice choir, comprising of staff and service users from across the Trust.
Compéres for the evening were the Trust’s Interim Chief Executive, Lorraine Sunduza, and Chief People Officer, Tanya Carter.
During her opening remarks for the evening, Lorraine reflected on her journey to date, and her 21 years at ELFT which began in Forensic Services. She also paid tribute to the leadership throughout the pandemic of former Chief Executive Paul Calaminus, who joined neighbouring North East London NHS Foundation Trust in the summer.
Lorraine closed her speech by taking a moment to reflect on the staff the Trust sadly lost this year, and quoted an African proverb which encompasses the values of ELFT:
“If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.”
Lorraine Sunduza, who is the Interim Chief Executive at ELFT, said: “It was a privilege to attend this year’s Staff Awards – my very first as the Interim Chief Executive. There is so much incredible work taking place throughout the Trust, and I thoroughly enjoyed being able to celebrate them.
“I would like to thank all nominees and winners for their tremendous hard work and commitment to the wellbeing of staff and service users. We could not do what we do without you.”
The Trust’s Chair, Eileen Taylor, added: “I have observed our brilliant staff providing outstanding care to our communities since I joined the Trust five years ago. We could only recognise a small number of staff, but tonight was for all of them.
“I encourage staff to continue to look after one another in these unsettled times.”
Award winners on the night:
- Chair’s Award – Corporate Governance Team, Corporate
- Chief Executive Award, Employee of the Year – Katie Walsh, Specialist Children and Young People's Service (SCYPS) Newham
- Commissioner’s Award, Improving Population Health – Asthma and Atopy Team, Community Children's Nursing Service (CCNS), SCYPS Newham
- Commissioner’s Award, Improving Population Health – Primary Care Mental Health Link Worker Service, Luton and Bedfordshire
- Star of the Future Award – Mauxine Francis, CHS Tower Hamlets
- Dr Robert Dolan Leadership Award – Matthew Sparks, CHS Bedford
- Improving Service User Experience Award – East London Community Eating Disorders Service for Children and Young People (CEDS-CYP) Team
- Improving Service User Experience Award – Katrice Russell, Luton Community Mental Health Team (CMHT)
- Improving Staff Experience Award – Katie Lander, London
- Support Services Award – Molly Burton, Luton Mental Health
- Support Services Award – Tracy Wostear and Pharmacy Dispensary Team
- Improving Value Award – Newham Transitional Practice Team, Primary Care
- Working in Collaboration Award – Admission Avoidance and Discharge Service and Barts Health Therapy Team, CHS Tower Hamlets
- Service User Award for a Special Person – Paul Scully, City and Hackney
- Service User Award for a Special Person – Kamila Naseova, BHS Bedford
- Because of You Award – Maria Qureshi and the Community Psychology Team, Tower Hamlets Mental Health
- Make a Difference Award – Paul Binfield, People Participation
- Greener Health Award – Morrison Ward, John Howard Centre, Forensics
- Greener Health Award – Bedfordshire Continence Service, CHS Specialist Services
Ends
About the ELFT Staff Awards 2023
The East London NHS Foundation Trust (ELFT) Staff Awards ceremony took place in Whitechapel’s Troxy Entertainment Venue on Thursday, 19th October 2023.
It brought together over 500 staff, service users and health leaders from across the region, to celebrate the hard work and achievements of ELFT NHS staff over the previous year.
ELFT provides mental health services, community services, primary and specialist health care in the London boroughs of Hackney, Newham and Tower Hamlets, the City of London, as well as in Bedfordshire and Luton. It operates from over 100 sites.
The Trust has been rated ‘Outstanding’ by the CQC three consecutive times – the only mental health and community trust to do so.
