Nominated for Team of the Year Award

University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust

Every ward has their challenges, Wildgoose team have had a fair few but what a team we have!
Our manager Laura who was newly appointed to her role this year has done an amazing job leading this team and being there to support each and everyone of us!
It is a joy to be apart of this team everyone is so supportive, we work together to ensure our patients and families receive the best care. We are huge advocates for our patients and families.
Many of our patients are eating disorders, our fabulous HCAs spend day to day with these patients ensuring they receive the nutrition, they are an asset to the nursing staff. We all worked to together to provide support. We have had patients admitted to the ward where we have needed senior management to support. When we are in these situations it is great to know we have the support from senior management!
Wildgoose are a strong amazing team which I am proud to be apart of!

I may be biased , but I think wildgoose ward is a really great supportive place to work . Our team have a vested interest in ensuring that we are all supported , emotionally , and educationally. If we have any work issues , they are all there to advise , encourage and support each other . On a personal level , when home life is an issue , the girls are always there as a shoulder to cry on. We care for each other in the ward and away from it . They are my extended family , that’s why I love working there

We have had some very challenging times over the last few years ,we have had lots of Mental Health Issues with several of our clients, we have worked hard to support one another through difficult times ,we have all kept updated by doing several courses to help us cope in these difficult situations ,if things are ever too bad we recognise this and try to help each other , we are always available to listen to each other if things get too difficult we try to alleviate any anxieties, on the whole we are an extremely supportive team

The Wildgoose team are like family. They experience so incredibly tough, emotionally demanding times that they would never be able to get through without their unwavering support of each other. They each recognise each others strengths and struggles, they look out for each other individually and this means they are able care for their patients to their highest ability. The team as whole go above and beyond every single day to encourage their patients and treat them with constant kindness and respect, helping them recover.

Everyone on Wildgoose ward have been incredibly supportive and helpful since I started my job a few months ago and I couldn’t ask for a better team to work with. If I have been confused or unsure of something someone is always willing to explain or help me understand how to do something. They are always willing to help other wards if they are needed. They advocate for any patients that could be struggling and need extra support and are continuously striving to better the care they provide by attending training and learning better ways of caring and helping their patients.

Proud to say I work on Wildgoose Ward and what a team to work with. Wildgoose is a mix of multi skilled professionals starting with fantastic ward manager who has grown in confidence in the role and assists all the team whether that is working out on the ward clinically, supporting our challenging patients or being the voice advocating for the ward. We have a great team of band 6 nurses who use their experience, knowledge and leadership skills in making sure our ward runs smoothly. All nurses, HCAs, ward clerk, domestics and kitchen staff bring their own unique readiness and qualities to the team. We all work with compassion for each other and a genuine care for our patients well being as well as each others. Everyone goes above and beyond to support and commit to providing the best care for our patients and their families by inspiring, motivating and uplifting one and other.
Excellent communication skills are key to us working well, all staff have a voice and chance to put ideas forward in making patients and their families visits with us as comfortable as possible. Every team member is encouraged to grow and develop professionally through our one to one chats with management and appraisals. There is always a chance to debrief, talk and seek help when needed.
Shifts on Wildgoose can be exceptionally challenging as we look after patients with eating disorders and complex mental health issues but we are all there for each other so you never work alone. Everyone is there for each other offering praise or words of encouragement through our ‘Praise/Star of the week’ postbox. We often end a shift with a thank you for a great shift and that thank you goes a long way.
‘Team Goose’ all the way!!

This team have been phenomenal since I have joined them. The support for each other is something I have never experienced in previous roles- it is really amazing! This team are really passionate about patient care and we have some big advocates for our patients and staff liaise well with outer teams. There are members of the team who have ideas and create/ put things in place to help both staff and patients which is supported by all.

My nomination goes to team Wildgoose, for their exceptional teamwork.
Embracing many changes from new ward management & an uplift of junior sisters. With new aspects of change & several new ideas to improve patient care & the teams working environment.
Such as-
‘We can talk programme’ helping staff with conversations around mental health & how best to support patients & families in mental health crisis.

Buddy system for preceptees supporting them while supernumerary.

New care pathway for eating disorder patients.

The difference they’ve made to patients & their families is highlighted in the friends & family surveys.

“The staff are very caring, sympathetic”.

“Good listeners and treat patients like family”.

The support new staff, preceptees and students. shown in the number of thank you cards received.

Staff turnover & long-term sickness have caused extra pressures but seen them flourish and come together as a team. Through their own resilience, tenacity & team ethos they pulled together and supported each other while always smiling.

They support & treat each patient as individuals, embracing diversity & always ensuring the voice of the child is heard & their inputs valued.
They work collaboratively with the MDT providing wrap around care for each patient & their families.

The Wildgoose team make my job as a ward manger so enjoyable. The pleasure I have coming into work to manage this fabulous team fills me with pride. Our ability to encourage praise to one & other & how we just knuckle down to get the job done is why I feel the fabulous Wildgoose team are deserving of this award.

Wildgoose has had many opportunities to come together as a team this year when working with some of our more difficult patients. Both our HCA’s and RN’s sit in on MDT meetings to advocate for patients and their families. Wildgoose team are incredibly good at checking up on each others wellbeing on more difficult shifts and sharing the work load if needed.

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