Last night, in front of nearly 300 guests at our gala dinner in Telford, the winners of HEFMA’s 2024 National Awards were announced. A huge congratulations to everyone who was nominated, shortlisted, and in particular to our winners.
Efficiency & Improvement Award
Patient Movement Team
Bradford Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
This programme redesigned workflow and transformed the service model to focus on clinical teams and patients, becoming outward facing to deliver improvement to teams beyond E&F and develop collaborative working for improvement of the system rather than the service. Efficiency and productivity gains include reduced patient waiting times, improved throughput for diagnostic services, and improved services for theatres and A&E. The work has created capacity which has been used to improve the service. Assurance is delivered through performance measurement and management, supported by a new Service Level Agreement.
Runners up: Capital Team at Birmingham Community Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust; Sustainability Team at the Hillingdon Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust; Domestic Services at Northumbria Healthcare Facilities Management.
Leader of the Year Award
Nicky Bonner
Royal United Hospitals Bath NHS Foundation Trust
Nicky is an Estates Officer responsible for the leadership and line management of more than 40 directly-employed trades staff. She demonstrates strategic vision and passion, and charts a compelling future for her teams. Through the appraisal process, she brilliantly constructs clear and achievable goals that resonate with the Vision of the Trust and that of the Estates Department. In her distinctive style, she articulates this vision to her team, making every member realise the significance of their individual roles in turning this vision into a reality.
Runners up: Eileen Phillips, Barts Health NHS Trust; Karon Snape, Bradford Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust; Alison McKinley, Hereford and Worcestershire Health and Care NHS Trust; Paul Fitzpatrick, Liverpool University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust; Rob Jepson, Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust.
People Development Award
Liza Pyrah
Bradford District Care NHS Foundation Trust
As Estates & Facilities Business Manager, a key responsibility for Liza is to develop and lead the training and development strategy for the E&F team, one specific objective of which is to develop the E&F workforce of the future. Liza’s work has focused on increasing the number of apprentices, and as an NHS Ambassador with Inspiring the Future, publicising careers in E&F to young people. In the last 12 months the number of E&F apprentices has increased from zero to six, and she has supported service managers to recruit apprentices and use apprenticeships to upskill existing staff.
Runners up: Emma Hinch, Birmingham Community Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust; Harrogate Integrated Facilities; Linsey Kennedy, University Hospital Southampton; David Adair, University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay.
Personal Development Award
Richie Savage
Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust
Richie joined the NHS as an Apprentice Mechanical & Electrical Engineer in 2013 and moved swiftly to the role of M&E Estates Officer. Driven by a desire for greater responsibility in a more senior position he moved to Sussex in 2021 as the Compliance Manager for E&F. He has continued his development, enrolling on the Level 6 Chartered Manager Degree Apprenticeship, and earning a first-class Honours Degree in Leadership and Management. He has introduced new KPI metrics, measures for patient safety, maintenance and ventilation contracts and assisted the procurement of a new CAFM system.
Runners up: Sophie Hall, Birmingham Women’s and Children’s NHS Foundation Trust; Philip White; Northumbria Healthcare Facilities Management.
Project of the Year Award
Sustainability and Capital Development Team
Liverpool University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
This team works to integrate sustainability into capital development programmes. When the old Royal Liverpool Hospital demolition contract was awarded, the 10% social value contribution was used to support a Nature Recovery Ranger Programme. A ranger is hosted within the Trust to support it in improving biodiversity across its sites. The ranger also hosts a schedule of green space based activities for staff and patients, bringing many benefits for all. It has resulted in the development of a Trust biodiversity plan and a shift in routine ground maintenance practices and capital designs.
Runners up: Soft Services Team, Barts Health NHS Trust; Making Room for Dignity Programme Team, Derbyshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust; ‘Re-thinking the Recruitment’ led by Katie Whittam, South West Yorkshire Partnership NHS Foundation Trust; Taking the Carbon out of Menus, St George’s University Hospitals with apetito and Mitie
Team of the Year Award
Estates and Facilities Senior Managers
The Hillingdon Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
The E&F team at Hillingdon is entirely in-house, and to meet the Trust’s multiple objectives whilst coping with a dilapidated estate, the team has been restructured into nine key functions, each led by a subject matter expert which necessitated the recruitment of some high-calibre candidates to join the senior management team. There are now separate, but linked, departments for estate maintenance, capital projects, sustainability, E&F compliance, catering, cleaning, portering & linen, security and transport, with close working relationships fostered by co-location in the same building.
Runners up: Domestics Team, Barnsley Facilities Services; Asbestos Management Team, Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust; Soft FM Team, North West Anglia NHS Foundation Trust; Capital Team, Stockport NHS Foundation Trust; Capital Estates Team, Wrightington, Wigan and Leigh Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.
Outstanding Service Award
Paula Melhuish
University Hospital Southampton NHS FT
A long-standing member of the South West Branch, Paula has fulfilled many positions for HEFMA, including Branch Officer roles. She has contributed to a number of Estates & Facilities sub groups and has been a member of two Forum committees.
Paula is known for her extensive knowledge and experience, and for the support she provides to those who are just starting their journey in the NHS, as well as the training and development support she offers to less experienced staff. In the words of the Branch Chair, she is everything that you could want in an estates professional. Paula is the ‘go to person’ known for her organisational memory, focus on delivery and governance. She is hugely respected by all who work alongside her.
[Photo shows Paula receiving the award from HEFMA Interim National Chair, Geoff Neild and President Tim Litherland.]
