Geraldine Rodgers OBE, Brandon Garlick and Monika Matyszkiewicz-Szpak (L-R)
Two Health Care Support Workers from Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust have been honoured with Chief Nursing Officer Awards for their outstanding work and commitment.
The awards were presented on Thursday 21st March by Liz Lees, Chief Nurse at Bedfordshire Hospitals, and Geraldine Rodgers OBE, Director of Nursing, Leadership & Quality at NHS England & Improvement, East of England.
Monika Matyszkiewicz-Szpak works as a Clinical Support Worker. She commenced her first NHS post in Outpatients at Bedford Hospital in January 2023.
Although she had no previous caring experience, she excelled at interview and demonstrated her dedication to the role.
Hayley Peacock-Jordan, Senior Sister (Outpatients), nominated Monika for the award.
She said: “Monika excelled in her role from her first day in our department. Her attention to detail in her work is exemplary and she consistently ensures she gives an excellent, positive and caring experience to all patients.
“Monika thoroughly deserves recognition for her high standard of work and commitment to her role. She is an asset to our team and we are very proud to have her as one of our team members.”
At the time of the nomination, Brandon Garlick worked as a Mental Health Care Assistant (MHCA) in Paediatrics, supporting the growing number of mental health admissions in young people who experience an acute mental health admission.
He was employed as the first of three MHCA’s in this new role on Riverbank Ward and was exceptional from the beginning, bringing his gentle nature and kindness to the role.
Helen Lindsay-Clarke, Paediatric Matron, said: “Brandon has been fully committed to the role from the very start, embracing the challenge of a new post in development. He always shows compassion and gives time to patients. We have received multiple compliments about Brandon from families experiencing extremely difficult circumstances and we are very proud of what he has achieved.”
Liz Lees added: “Monika and Brandon are excellent examples of HCSWs who make a huge difference to the lives of the patients they care for, as well as their families. Receiving these awards is a huge achievement that should not be underestimated. I am so proud of both Monika and Brandon and it was a privilege to be able to celebrate with them.”
Note: Brandon has since changed roles within the Trust