Hundreds of hard-working primary and community practitioners filed into the opulent Lancaster Hotel in London on 27 November for the 2013 General Practice Awards. Each year the best of the best are invited to a five-star meal and awards ceremony, giving desk-ridden GP`s and nurses the chance to celebrate best practice – and themselves.
Comedian and presenter of the Infinite Monkey Cage on BBC Radio Four, Robin Ince brought the right tone of light-hearted fun to the evening as the compere.
As the very first award of the evening – for Practice Manager of the Year – was announced, the assembled crowd applauded for Brenda Nasr, from Earle Road Medical Centre, in Liverpool. Hugh Hamer from Williams’ Medical presented the award to Brenda, whose proactive approach has improved her staff’s working environment. She was commended for her Community Engagement and Health Education Project, education clinic and new booking kiosk website among other things.
A community-based solution to unemployment and isolation won Dr James Fleming the award for General Practitioner of the Year 2013. While Ed Bellamy from PinBellCom presented the award, Robin Ince pointed out how Dr Fleming’s Green Dreams project has expanded from just one practice to nine across East Lancashire, in six towns.
Nurse of the Year 2013, sponsored by PSUK, went to lead nurse Philomena Potts, who has developed and managed a range of project and service developments, as well as supporting and enabling her team of nurses to develop professionally.
The team behind Durham Dales Health were ecstatic to receive the award for Commissioners of the Year from Peter Edwards, Capsticks. Their scheme aimed to tackle and improve COPD care in their area, which has the seventh highest COPD population in England.
The team from White Rose Surgery worked tirelessly to create a “virtual ward” for patients with one or more long term conditions, integrating health and social care by including a social worker with a community matron, two staff nurses an advanced practitioner and a ward clerk. Hallam Medical’s Alex Munro presented the award to the stunned team.
This year’s General Practice of the Year provides quality, cutting edge care to the diverse population of Liverpool. Jon Richardson of RPM Solutions presented the award to Brownlow Health, who developed each service element using a skill mix approach to maximise access.
Victoria Vaughan, editor-in-chief of Nursing in Practice, Management in Practice and The Commissioning Review, said: “These awards aim to celebrate the good work you do every day, innovating in effective patient care in what has been a tough year for the reputation of NHS staff.
“So much is being asked of you as a result of the Health Bill and the recent GP contract changes. We hope these awards go some way to making you feel it’s all worth it.”
For the full list of winners and photos from the evening, visit www.generalpracticeawards.com.
