The John Sykes Foundation is celebrating six years of collaboration with the A&E Department of the Royal Berkshire Hospital.
The foundation is celebrating the occasion with their “Team Member of the Month” Award–a tradition that has continued to recognise the dedication and hard work of frontline healthcare staff in Reading.
The award was created to celebrate the often unsung heroes of the A&E Team, highlighting the exceptional efforts of individuals who consistently go above and beyond to provide outstanding patient care.
The winners of the monthly award are voted for by team members in the department and have ranged from health care assistants, consultants, pharmacists, radiographers, play workers, and the housekeeping team.
There have been more than 70 winners so far, all of whom are bestowed a prize donated by the Foundation.
These range from gift vouchers to special prizes from Majestic Wines, Lush, Nirvana Spa, and more.
The award was first established when the Foundation were contacted by the A&E department’s Lead Consultant, Dr Omar Nafousi, in 2019 who wanted to boost staff morale.
In the last two years, the initiative has grown to include the “Quarterly Recognition Award,” highlighting those across the hospital who assist in the A&E Department.
This new award has fostered a culture of appreciation and motivation among staff, showcasing the entire hospital’s exceptional team spirit.
Two recent winners of this award were voluntary services manager Sukhi and pharmacist Zahraa.
Dr Nafousi said of Sukhi: “As part of the RBH Volunteers Team, you have always gone that extra mile to support projects for both staff and patients in our Emergency Department.
“No job is too big and you go above and beyond for us as a team–this level of dedication and support has not gone unnoticed by us, and we thank you for everything you do.”
Of Zahraa, he explained: “You work tirelessly outside ED to give us the best service you can.
“Always at hand to support us and give advice, your commitment to making the lives of our patients and our staff better has not gone unnoticed.
“Thank you Zahraa for everything you do everyday.”
John Sykes said of the milestone: “The resilience, compassion, and professionalism of the Royal Berkshire Hospital Emergency Department team have been nothing short of extraordinary.
“We are immensely proud to continue recognising their hard work and dedication.
“This award is our way of saying thank you and acknowledging their unwavering commitment to our local community in Reading.”
More information about the John Sykes Foundation and its work is available via: johnsykesfoundation.org