Staff from St Mary’s Hospital’s Wellow Unit have been shortlisted in The Sun’s Who Cares Wins awards – and they will be heading to London today (Tuesday) for a very special awards ceremony.
Those behind the end-of-life ward at the Isle of Wight’s only hospital are up for the Best Team Award, recognising frontline or behind-the-scenes teams who have gone above and beyond the call of duty. It follows 3 separate nominations from Islanders who experienced exceptional care from the team at a very difficult time.
Wellow Unit, which was established in February 2020, is the country’s only nurse-led end-of-life unit. It provides bespoke care for those who would otherwise pass away in open bays in A&E or Intensive Care. It’s led by Unit Sister Trish Reeves and Clinical Director and Consultant Nurse, Shane Moody.
80-year-old Rod McCarthy was on the Unit for 12 days before his death in April. His wife of 50 years, Pam, nominated the team for their compassion, saying that they made a desperately heart-breaking time more peaceful.
87-year-old David Vanner died back in July after 19 days on the Unit. His son, Steve, nominated the team as he felt the way in which they cared for his dad made his grief easier to cope with, describing the staff as angels. He also said that their kindness and compassion meant David had a comfortable death.
Speaking about Wellow Unit, Clinical Director and Consultant Nurse for end-of-life care, Shane Moody, has told The Sun:
“We really wanted to go the extra mile to ensure that death for both our patients and loved ones is as peaceful and dignified as possible.
“A large number of patients were still dying in open bays. Families didn’t have space or privacy with their loved ones so we wanted to create somewhere dignified for people to die. We wanted a less clinical environment.
Article continues below this advertisement “Wellow has really changed the culture of dying at the Trust.”
The winners will be crowned at a glitzy ceremony hosted by Davina McCall at The Roundhouse in London this evening (Tuesday). Celebrities set to attend include Harry Redknapp, Katie Piper, Susanne Reid, Olivia Attwood, Mel B, Anthony Joshua, Jamie Oliver and Ellie Simmonds.
The event will be aired on Channel 4 on Sunday (27th November) from 18:30.
Wellow Unit has been shortlisted for Best Team alongside the Proton Beam Therapy Centre at The Christie NHS Foundation Trust in Manchester and teams from both Southampton Children’s Hospital and Birmingham Children’s Hospital (BCH).
Other categories in this year’s The Sun’s Who Cares Wins Awards include Best Doctor, Best Midwife, Best Nurse, Best Health Charity, Unsung Hero, Young Hero, Mental Health Hero and 999 Hero.
Don’t buy the S*n!!!!
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How about congratulating those that have been shortlisted. Wellow unit are a credit to the IOW NHS Trust and give the most amazing care to those who are nearing the end of life. I sure hope you or your family don’t have to use their services anytime soon if your ridiculous comment is anything to go by. Regardless of what newspaper they’ve been nominated to, the fact they’ve been nominated should be congratulated and recognised.
Hopefully when you are in need of help you will be with any luck left in the corridor to pass away then at least you won’t take up any of their time
Why don’t you all use your own name or is it because you’re too thick to spell it tit! WELL DONE WELLOW WARD! Oh and thank you x