Announcement of winners of 2010 Mary Seacole Awards

Published: 28 October 2010

For immediate release: Wednesday 27th October 2010

Six exceptional nurses, midwives and health visitors were today (27 October) announced as Mary Seacole Leadership and Development Award winners in the presence of Anne Milton MP, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Public Health at a ceremony held at the Royal College of Nursing (RCN) headquarters in London.

The announcements were made by Gill Bellord, Director for Core Services, NHS Employers and Dr David Foster, Deputy Chief Nursing Officer, Department of Health.

There was a keynote speech from Anne Milton who then presented award certificates to four award winners from 2009 who had successfully completed their projects. Award winners also heard from guest speaker, National Breaking Through Director Yvonne Coghill OBE.

The awards are jointly funded by the Department of Health and NHS Employers who work in partnership with the Royal College of Nursing, Unite, Unison and The Royal College of Midwives on this prestigious award programme. The awards recognise nurses, midwives and health visitors who undertake a year-long project educational/development activity, which benefits the health needs of people from Black and Minority Ethnic communities. The winners of the two leadership awards will receive a bursary of £12,500, and the four development award winners receive a bursary of £6,250.

The awards were created in honour of the nurse Mary Seacole, who made a significant contribution to nursing in the 19th Century, including nursing wounded British soldiers during the Crimean War.

Dr David Foster, Department for Health, Deputy Chief Nurse said:
“The Mary Seacole awards have a fine and long standing history of developing future leaders in the NHS and in improving the black and minority patient experience. The high calibre of applications for the awards is reflected in the awards made today, which will undoubtedly, enhance the careers of the individuals and contribute to the improved health gain of the BME communities.”

Janet Davies, RCN Executive Director for Nursing and Service Delivery, said:
“Mary Seacole is a true nursing icon; she not only delivered patient care on the battlefield but broke down barriers for both women and members from black and minority ethic groups. She is rightly revered as one of the most inspirational nursing figures the world has known and these awards are a fitting testimony to her.”

Gail Adams, UNISON Head of Nursing, said:
“UNISON is proud to be involved in these awards, celebrating innovative projects that make valuable contributions towards healthcare for black and ethnic minority patients. It is only right that all who need healthcare receive it, regardless of race, gender, or ability to pay for treatment. Someone who believed all people deserved care was Mary Seacole. She risked her life to care for soldiers, often treating injured people on both sides of a battle. She put the needs of her patients ahead of her own, risked her safety and overcame considerable racial prejudice and class barriers. She is an inspiration to many people across the world, and her legacy lives on in the values at the heart of our NHS today.”

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. And at a time of cuts and austerity in the public sector, the innovation and hard work of those receiving the Mary Seacole award are a fine 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 2010 award winners

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: “An exploration of critical issues for students from black and minority ethnic (BME) groups when developing access, recruitment and retention practices for all degree nursing education in the UK”

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”

The following are the 2009 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

Concilia Ajuo, Lead Real Time Patient Feedback Project , Royal London Hospital. Project: “Improving the Sexual Health of Black African and Black Caribbean Youths in Brent, London: preventing the transmission of HIV/AIDS”

Titilayo Babatunde, Lead Public Health Community Nurse, Greenwich Community Healthcare Services. Project: “An Exploration of perception of postnatal depression in African women in Greenwich Community Health Care Services”

Sonia Clarke-Swaby, Kidney Transplant Co-ordinator, King’s College Hospital, London. Project: “Exploring the understanding and cultural beliefs surrounding organ donation amongst Black African Caribbean and Asian populations affected with Kidney Disease”

Gill Francis, Health Inclusion Worker for Travellers and Gypsies, NHS City & Hackney Community Health Services. Project: “Developing the cultural competence of health professionals working with Gypsy Travellers”

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.