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Schwartz Awards announcement

20 December 2016

Press Release

Topics

Supporting health and care staff

Embargoed until 00:00 on Tuesday 20 December 2016

We are delighted to announce the winners of our inaugural Schwartz Awards, designed to celebrate the power, impact and development of Schwartz Rounds within the 150 organisations where they are running.

The standard and volume of entries were phenomenal, demonstrating both innovation and creativity as well as emotional power. Choosing winners was extremely difficult but, after careful consideration, two winners were selected for each of the four categories.

Esther Flanagan, Schwartz Programme Manager at the Foundation, said:

“The effort that went into all of the entries was amazing, and it really highlighted how important Rounds have become to staff.

Every entry was of a high standard and showed great thought and passion, but the ones that really stood out for the judges were those which told a story, really capturing the essence of Schwartz Rounds.

It would be difficult to read the ‘Most Powerful Round’ winners without being moved to tears; they beautifully capture those moments of raw emotion experienced by staff. Equally, the winning innovation entries left me inspired and hopeful about how Rounds are evolving and how they will grow. Needless to say, all eight winners are truly worthy.”

There were four categories, and winners were as follows:

Most Powerful Round – wonderful examples of the essence and power of Rounds – their ability to share stories that resonate and inspire reflection:

  • West Hertfordshire Hospitals NHS Trust: Becky Platt’s retelling of the story of abused baby Josie and the impact that the case had upon staff was incredibly moving.
  • The Christie NHS Foundation Trust: porter Robert Hardiman’s story beautifully conveyed the vital and special connections between staff and patients.

Best Schwartz Innovation – both winners demonstrated the powerful ways in which Rounds can be adapted:

  • Ashford and St. Peter’s Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust: their video animation creatively explained the invention of ‘Pop-up Rounds’ – a 30-minute Round on the ward for those who struggle to attend the main Rounds.
  • The University of Liverpool: their entry showcased how Rounds have been adapted for an undergraduate setting in order to role-model positive behaviours early on.

Best Schwartz Poster:

  • South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust: their poster beautifully used a tree image to illustrate the implementation and impact of Rounds.
  • Wirral University Teaching Hospital: their poster and wordgram mapped out feedback about Rounds.

Best Schwartz Photo:

  • Yusuf Yousuf, North Middlesex University Hospital NHS Trust: Yusuf’s photo captured the reflective ‘time-out’ and escape from hierarchies that Rounds provide.
  • Aoife Langton, Blackrock, Our Lady’s Hospice & Care Services: Aoife’s entry demonstrated how a simple photo can bring a story to life.

Winners were presented with their certificates at our Schwartz community conferences. They also had a cake sent to their next Schwartz Round, a perfect prize to keep the ethos of community, sharing, and time-out together – which is integral to Rounds – very much alive.

Notes to editors:

Schwartz Rounds are structured, monthly one-hour meetings open to all of the staff within an organisation.  The purpose is to reflect on the experience of working in healthcare, rather than to solve problems or look for outcomes.  Evidence shows that staff who attend Rounds feel more supported, valued and connected with others.

About The Point of Care Foundation:

  • The Point of Care Foundation is an independent charity dedicated to improving patients’ experience of care and increasing support for the staff who work with them.
  • We provide evidence and resources to support health and care staff in the difficult work of caring for patients.
  • We believe a truly patient-centred approach – focused on listening, understanding and responding to the needs of the whole individual – is essential to the delivery of the best possible quality of care.
  • For further information about our work please visit our website, pointofcarefoundation.org.uk or follow us on Twitter @PointofCareFdn.
  • For media enquiries contact Patrick Cullen, communications manager on: 020 3841 5578 or at patrickcullen@pointofcarefoundation.org.uk. Out of hours on 07969 991 720.