Galway University Hospitals and the Saolta Staff Recognition Awards 2019

Galway University Hospitals won Saolta Staff Recognition Awards in three categories at a ceremony in Mayo on Friday evening.

The Maternity Department won the ‘Award for Innovation in a Non Clinical Area’ for their work on a maternity website, the ‘Quality Improvement and Patient Experience Award’ was presented to the Patient Flow Improvement Team and the ‘Outstanding Employee Award’ was given to Catherine Cunniffe who works in the bed management office.

More than 160 nominations from across the Saolta Group of hospitals were received for the six award categories which included: Innovation in a Clinical Area Award; Education and Training Award; and Research Award in addition to the categories won by GUH - Quality Improvement and Patient Experience Award; Innovation in a Non Clinical Area Award; and Outstanding Employee Award.

The event was hosted by Mayo Senior Football Manager James Horan and the awards were presented by Saolta CEO Tony Canavan and Chief Director of Nursing and Midwifery, Jean Kelly.

Ms Chris Kane, General Manager, Galway University Hospitals said, “Our Maternity Department has developed a one-stop website on pregnancy, labour and parenthood which includes an online system for booking antenatal classes. It is fitting that they won the ‘Award for Innovation in a Non Clinical Area’ for bringing maternity services into the digital information age. The Patient Flow Improvement Team at the hospital have progressed a number of projects to improve the patient experience in the hospital with a strong emphasis on teamwork and collaboration. They are deserved winners of the ‘Quality and Patient Experience Award’.

“I am delighted that Catherine Cunniffe was presented with the ‘Outstanding Employee Award’ for her work in the bed management office which sees her advocate for patients every day and her efforts to problem solve in a difficult situation when there are capacity issues. Her focus is always on communicating effectively with teams, wards and patients and ensuring the correct information is relayed to patients and their families in a calm, practical manner.”

In addition to winning three categories, GUH projects were also shortlisted for the following awards:

Innovation Clinical Area Award – The Older Person Assessment Hub Team;

Innovation in a Non Clinical Area - Rosemary Walsh for the Nursing Department Workplace Planning Tool; and

Research Award – The Galway Blood and Tissue Establishment Department.

The Saolta University Health Care Group Staff Recognition Awards take place every 2 years and aim to recognise the important role that staff play in delivering services to patients cared for in all six hospitals in the Group. All applications are judged by an independent panel and the event is self-funded through sponsorship.