2011 Mary Seacole Award winners announced
Published: 26 October 2011
Six exceptional nurses, midwives and health visitors were today (25 October) recognised for their contribution to black and ethnic minority (BME) communities with Mary Seacole Leadership and Development Awards.
The winners were announced at a ceremony held at the UNISON headquarters in London, attended by Anne Milton MP, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Public Health.
The awards were created in 1994 in honour of Mary Seacole, who made a significant contribution to nursing in the 19th century, including caring for wounded British soldiers during the Crimean War.
The awards are jointly funded by the Department of Health and NHS Employers, who work in partnership with UNISON, the Royal College of Nursing, Royal College of Midwives and Unite. The winners of the two leadership awards receive a bursary of £12,500, and the four development award winners, £6,250, allowing them to undertake a year-long project to benefit the health needs of people from BME communities.
Public Health Minister Anne Milton said:
“150 years after Mary Seacole made her contribution to nursing, today we witness the same courage, dedication and compassion in the profession.
“The nurses we are recognising today have shown that same dedication, sometimes courage, but always compassion.
"These awards have a long standing history of recognising and encouraging future leaders in the NHS. That's what we want to see - putting patients first and showing by example what can be achieved - congratulations to all the award winners.”
Janet Davies, RCN Executive Director for Nursing and Service Delivery, said:
“Mary Seacole is rightly revered as one of the most inspirational nursing figures the world has known; she not only delivered patient care on the battlefield but broke down barriers for both women and members from black and minority ethnic groups. She is a true nursing icon and these awards are a fitting testimony to her. The award recipients should be very proud of their achievements and the difference they have made to the lives of people from BME communities.”
Dave Prentis, General Secretary of UNISON, said:
“I am immensely proud of what these nurses, midwives and health visitors have achieved at a time of real financial hardship in the NHS. Staff are standing strong and forceful, just as Mary Seacole did. It is important to recognise not just the outstanding contribution of these individuals, but of the profession as a whole.
“It’s fitting that the awards are taking place in the Elizabeth Garrett Anderson building, founded by the first British female doctor who, like Mary, overcame adversity.
“October is Black History month, which celebrates the achievements of black Britons throughout the decades. Health staff make a vital contribution to improving the lives of black and ethnic minority patients - showing that the legacy of Mary Seacole lives on.”
Unite Lead Professional Officer, Obi Amadi said:
“The high quality of the six award winners is a true tribute to those working for the health service and the inspiring memory of Mary Seacole. Our colleagues are facing a time of cuts and austerity in the public sector, making the innovation and hard work of those receiving the Mary Seacole award a great example of the public service ethos and the dedication shown by those who work within the sector.”
Louise Silverton, RCM Deputy General Secretary, said:
“The Mary Seacole Awards have been ground-breaking in improving care for BME communities. They have enabled winners to showcase their talent and develop innovative midwifery and nursing leadership skills by improving safety, the service user’s experience and clinical effectiveness in midwifery and nursing practice and service delivery. They have been a great springboard for innovation.”
The new 2011 award winners
Mary Seacole Leadership Awards
Marsha Jones
Project: Improving the postnatal care and experience for black and Asian women by exploring cultural competency and capabilities of health care workers at Newham hospital
Sarah Amani
Project: Recovery and community hope – open, understanding and tactful reach out project
Mary Seacole Development Awards
Sonia Wijesundare
Project: Increase accessibility and improve health outcomes for Arabic population with type 2 diabetes in north Kensington through structured education
Valerie Freestone
Project: Raising awareness of Milton Keynes dementia services with BME communities
Grahame Fraser
Project: Applying Q methodological analysis to BP screening and management: the identification of subjective perceptions that influence blood pressure monitoring for young black Caribbean congregants.
Karen Murray
Project: Pilot study Hepatits C BME communities in a rural setting
The following are the 2010 winners who have successfully completed their projects and were presented with their award certificates by Anne Milton MP, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Public Health
Mary Seacole Leadership Awards
Esther Craddock, Education & Training Adviser, South London & Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust.
Project: “Enhancing the Mental Health Carers’ contribution to Healing”
Stacy Johnson, Lecturer, School of Nursing, Midwifery and Physiotherapy, University of Nottingham.
Project: “Critical issues for Access, Recruitment and Retention of BME students in all Degree Nursing Education.”
Mary Seacole Development Awards
Sarah Bennett, Specialist midwife, Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust.
Project: “An exploration of midwives’ experiences of caring for women seeking asylum”
Naomi Douglas, Children’s Centre Health Visitor, Community Health Oxfordshire.
Project: “Befriending Breastfeeding: a home based antenatal pilot for South Asian families”
Mylene Freires Advanced Nurse Practitioner for Venous Access, Guy’s & St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust.
Project: “Development of a nurse-led Port-a-Cath insertion service for patients with sickle cell disease on red cell exchange programme”
Opal Greyson, Hepatitis Nurse Specialist, Bedford Hospital NHS Trust.
Project: “To improve access to Hepatitis C Testing for the Sub Asian Community in Bedford.”
Ends
Notes for Editors
1. For further information, interviews or illustrations please contact the RCN Media Office on 0207 647 3633, press.office@rcn.org.uk or visit http://www.rcn.org.uk/newsevents/media
2. Royal College of Nursing (RCN) is the voice of nursing across the UK and is the largest professional union of nursing staff in the world. The RCN promotes the interest of nurses and patients on a wide range of issues and helps shape healthcare policy by working closely with the UK Government and other national and international institutions, trade unions, professional bodies and voluntary organisations.