UNISON is marking this year’s One Team Day, on Wednesday, with the launch of a new award aimed at honouring the whole NHS team.
The One Team Awards give members a chance to nominate colleagues who they believe deserve recognition for their contribution to the NHS team – and put them in the running to win one of three £500 prize vouchers.
Those eligible are UNISON members working in non-clinical support and operational services roles, up to and including band 5.
UNISON acting head of health Helga Pile said: “We’re really proud to launch the One Team Awards this year.
“The awards celebrate porters, cleaners, receptionists, cooks, ward clerks, security officers and many more – NHS staff whose jobs often go unrecognised, but without whom the NHS simply couldn’t run.
“They will shine a light on the dedication and commitment of staff to provide patients with the best possible care: the cleaners fighting infection, the cooks providing nutritious meals, the medical secretaries updating patients’ records, the security officers making everyone safe.”
UNISON organises One Team Day each year as part of its One Team campaign, ensuring everyone in these NHS support staff roles are recognised, celebrated and also defended.
“Our One Team campaign champions the vital role of these staff,” Ms Pile added. “And the One Team awards are a timely way to show that when cuts are made to the NHS, it’s often these less prominent roles that are hit hardest. Ultimately, it’s patient care that will suffer.”
The panel deciding the three winners will include members of UNISON’s operational services committee, who work in similar roles themselves.
They will be judging entries based on the following criteria:
- Dedication to delivering and improving patient care, whether directly or indirectly
- Working effectively as part of one NHS team and being supportive towards colleagues
- Being a role model for the job they do – for example, offering guidance to new starters or demonstrating ideal standards of work
- Evidence of supporting equality, diversity and inclusivity.
The nomination form will be live on the One Team page from Wednesday.
The article UNISON launches its One Team Awards for NHS staff first appeared on the UNISON National site.