Staff from the Critical Care Unit at Southport Hospital are celebrating after receiving an award for their dedication to delivering the best care possible for patients and their families.
The Unit received a Special Recognition Award at the Mersey and West Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust staff awards this week in recognition of their efforts to support patients, their families and also colleagues.
The team was honoured for introducing a ground-breaking initiative, called The Pause Campaign, which helped them win the Critical and Emergency Care category of the national Nursing Times Awards in 2023.
The campaign sees staff and families come together for a minute’s silence in memory of patients on the unit who sadly die. It is a move that has been well received and seen great feedback from relatives and carers.
Mel Pinnington, the team’s Clinical Educator, said:
“We only get one chance to get end-of-life care right.
“The pause initiative has been so valuable in creating a personalised and respectful end-of-life experience for the staff involved and bereaved families. A minute’s silence is priceless in its value and can be bespoke to any care setting, be that critical care, a ward, the emergency department, or a hospice.
“This introduction of a minute’s silence when a patient dies has proved to be invaluable in allowing the family to start to grieve and for the staff to process the emotional burden of caring for a patient.
“It has proved invaluable for our staff so they can take some time to reflect on the person they gave care to. Our patients mean so much to us and our staff don’t just stop caring once someone passes and often need time for themselves too.
“Although we started the initiative to support staff, we were overwhelmed by the humbling responses from families who fed back to us. They described staff as showing such respect, outstanding care and compassion, and told us that the moment of the whole team coming together to pay their respects in silence will stay with them forever.’’
Staff were presented with their award by Ann Marr, OBE, Chief Executive of Mersey and West Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust. She said:
“The Critical Care Team is hailed as one of the best in the country, always demonstrating exemplary practice, with a sensitive and human approach. They embody our vision of 5 Star patient care.’’
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