Nominate a star
Part of Healthwatch Sunderland’s main role is to listen to people’s views and experiences of health and social care services within Sunderland and as part of this we hear a lot of positive comments and stories. In order to ensure that services hear about their great feedback we award staff and services with a certificate in recognition to celebrate this.
If you would like to nominate a staff member, team or service for one of our star awards for the difference they have made to you or someone you know please get in touch.
Below is an example of some of these awards issued to date.
For terms and conditions please click here.
Millfield Medical Group
On Wednesday 4th March, Wendy and Audrey from our Engagement Team went along to Millfield Medical Group to present the team with one of our Healthwatch Sunderland Star Awards.
During several engagement sessions held at the surgery and when the Healthwatch Team are out and about across the city, positive feedback was gathered from patients who are registered at the practice. This resulted in the well-deserved recognition for the team's hard work and dedication.
Paul Weddle, Practice Manager at the practice said; "Everyone at the surgery wanted to express how pleased we were to receive the Healthwatch award and note all the supportive comments from our patients. Coming as it did from a range of patients, it meant all the more to us. Again, please accept our sincere thanks."
We would like to say a big WELL DONE to all the team at Millfield Medical Group and look forward to our next visit to the practice.
Published 17/03/20
Dr Gellia & Dr Balaraman
On the 4th March 2020 Engagement Coordinator Anna visited Dr Gellia and Balaraman to present the staff at the practice on behalf of its patients with a Healthwatch star award. The practice had been visited by the engagement team on several occasion over the previous year, who had gathered a high volume of positive feedback from patients. Patients gave positive comments about the practice in general, the quality of their appointment and staff attitudes.
Practice Manager Gillian Brack gave the following comment;
"We are so pleased to have received this award, the Team are very patient focused, nothing is too much trouble. It makes the effort even more worthwhile to receive excellent feedback from patients they serve. Thank you."
Published 11/03/2020
Rickleton Surgery
On Wednesday 26th February Wendy from our Engagement Team and one of our volunteers Gill went along to Rickleton Medical Centre to award their team one of our Healthwatch Sunderland Star Awards.
Wendy had visited the practice twice over the last six months to gather feedback from their patients about the surgery, the staff and the services they offer to their patients. This feedback was looked at alongside feedback we have gathered whilst out and about in the community and the positive feedback was overwhelming!
Jackie Russell, Practice Manager at the practice said; “As a practice it was great to be nominated for the Star Award. We would not have been in the running if it wasn’t for our wonderful Doctor and outstanding Team who always go the extra mile, so it was lovely for them all to receive the recognition they truly deserve”.
Well done to all of you at Rickleton Medical Centre – you’re real stars!
Published 11/03/2020
Marigold Nursing Home
On completion of the second year of the Care Home Life work, Healthwatch Sunderland wanted to recognise the contribution and celebrate those homes who had gone the extra mile.
One of our prestigious Star Awards was presented to Marigold Nursing Home's Manager, Bijumon Joseph and his staff on the 5th February, after the Healthwatch Team received very positive feedback about the home.
Bijumon said; " We are so happy to receive the Star Award for the second time. Myself and team feel that Healthwatch support many people to find the right health and social care services for them providing appropriate information, advice and signposting.”
We had a visit from Anna and Wendy, they are so professional and their report enabled us to improve our service to provide outstanding care for our residents. We are getting lots of enquiries after the report which is published by Healthwatch. Looking forward to their next visit.”
Well done to Marigold Nursing Home and we are very much looking forward to our next visit!
Published 11/03/2020
Ashton Grange Care Home
On completion of the second year of the Care Home Life work, Healthwatch Sunderland wanted to recognise the contribution and celebrate those homes who had gone the extra mile.
One of our prestigious Star Awards was presented to Ashton Grange Care Home's Manager, Lesley Dawson and her staff on 16th January, after the Healthwatch Team received very positive feedback about the home.
The home's Manager Lesley said; “We are so pleased to have achieved this award, it is a real testament to the whole team’s commitment to providing the kindest care.”
Published: 06/02/2020
Elizabeth Fleming Care Home
For the second year in a row we have awarded Elizabeth Fleming Care Home with one of our Star Awards.
The award was presented to the home on Friday 10th January, after the Healthwatch team received very positive feedback about all 9 indicators during the completion of our Care Home Life work.
On completion of the second year of the work, Healthwatch Sunderland wanted to recognise the contribution and celebrate those homes who had gone the extra mile.
Lesley-Ann Richardson, Home Manager said; "Thank you so much for this award. It has given the team such a boost knowing their hard work has been recognised."
Published: 13/01/2020
Herrington Medical Centre
On Thursday 7th November our Chair, John Dean, and members of our Engagement Team, went along to Herrington Medical Centre to present their team with a Healthwatch Sunderland Star Ward.
They were given the award after fabulous feedback from their patients over the past year.
Patient feedback included;
"Both doctors and reception are of excellent calibre."
"I moved house and had to change surgery. The process was simple. Online prescriptions and appointments make things much easier. A good experience!"
"I can get an emergency appointment here the same day. The reception staff are very professional. The prescription service is good here and the staff are lovely. I have been at this practice since I was a little girl."
One of the GPs, Dr Birrell, who was at the presentation said; "At Herrington we aim to give quality to people's lives and to support our patients to make their own, informed, decisions. We are delighted that we have had such positive feedback from our patients. The presentation of the Healthwatch Sunderland Star Award is a real feather in our cap, but it won't go to our heads. We continue to strive to improve the care that we provide. Thank you to everyone who has contributed feedback. It really does help to direct our development."
Well done to all at Herrington Medical Centre, your patients think you're fabulous!
Published: 21/11/2019
Dr Stephenson & Partners Reception Team
On Monday 21st October members of our Engagement Team went along to Dr Stephenson and Partner's surgery in Concord, Washington to present their Reception Team with one of our coveted Star Awards.
During a recent engagement session at the surgery, we received an overwhelming amount of positive feedback about the surgery's Reception Team.
Here is some of the feedback we received;
"The receptionists here are really lovely. My son has Autism and one receptionist always helps us to make suitable appointments etc."
"The receptionists are excellent."
June Pace, Practice Manager said; "Our Reception Team are very patient orientated, nothing is too much trouble. It makes the effort even more worthwhile to receive thanks and appreciation from the patients they serve. I speak on behalf of myself and the Partners of the practice, to say, we are proud of the whole practice team, who always aim to give our patients the best service they can. The Reception Team say thank you to all who gave feedback to Healthwatch."
Published: 07/11/2019
Dr Bhate & Partners
Dr Bhate and Partners GP practice based in Riverview Health Centre has been awarded a Healthwatch Sunderland star award to celebrate all the positive feedback we have received about the practice over the past few months. The Engagement Co-ordinator went along to the practice on the 24th January to present the team with the award.
The feedback was gathered by our volunteer Healthwatch Champions and staff while speaking to patients in October 2018, following its merger six months previously. We spoke to 70 plus patients across several dates who were very positive about the reception staff, doctors, nurses and processes at the practice.
Lisa Richardson, Practice Manager and her team were delighted with the Star Award.
The practices GPs said; "We are grateful to our patients for rating us so highly and for being appreciated. We always endeavour to offer the best we can".
Well done to all at the practice!
Published: 06/03/2019
Marigold Nursing Home
Marigold Nursing Home was the latest service to receive a Star Award from the Healthwatch team after the positive feedback it received as part of the Care Home Life work.
This work involved the team visiting all care homes across Sunderland, to find out what it is like to live there. This was done by talking to residents, staff and resident’s family and friends.
Of all the care homes the Healthwatch team had visited in it's first year of the work, Marigold received the highest scores, gaining a strongly agree against all 8 indicators. This was an outstanding achievement from the care home and it's team and was acknowledged with a visit from Healthwatch team to present their Star Award on the 7th of November.
Bijumon Joseph, Manager said;
"We at Marigold Care Home aim to provide outstanding person centred care to our residents. We treat everyone with respect and dignity and strive to provide better quality of care or our residents. We have created a family friendly home and support everyone including resident’s families and friends. Thank you Anna and Wendy for your visit and report about our service.”
Publishhed: 21/11/2018
Archers Park Care Home
On Tuesday 7th August the Healthwatch Sunderland Engagement Team re-visited
Archers Park in Farringdon to award Roslyn Wright, Manager and her team with a Star Award.
The award was given to the home after positive feedback was recieved as part of our
Care Home Life work. This work involved the team visiting all care homes across Sunderland, to find out what it is like to live there. This was done by talking to residents, staff and resident’s family and friends.
On completion of the work, Healthwatch Sunderland wanted to recognise the contribution and celebrate those homes who had gone the extra mile.
This award was extra special for Roslyn who retires from her post at Archers Park after many years as their Manager. She said;
"Thank you for your visit and the award received. This achievement means so much to me and the staff of Archers Park who are so dedicated to their jobs and the care of the residents. This makes me so proud of the team and to know that they are so appreciated, especially as this is the end of my career."
Published: 13/08/2018
Elizabeth Fleming Care Home
On Friday 27th July the Healthwatch Sunderland Engagement Team visited
Elizabeth Fleming Care Home to present the Manager of the home, Lorraine Woods and her team with a Star Award.
The award was presented to the home after the Healthwatch team received very positive feedback about all 8 indicators during the completion of our Care Home Life work. This work involved the team visiting all care homes across Sunderland, to find out what it is like to live there. This was done by talking to residents, staff and resident’s family and friends.
On completion of the work, Healthwatch Sunderland wanted to recognise the contribution and celebrate those homes who had gone the extra mile. Lorraine said;
“All of the staff at the home and myself were overwhelmed to receive such a prestigious award. It is wonderful to know through the feedback received that we are getting the care we provide right and our residents and families are happy.”
Published: 13/08/2018
Ryhope Manor Care Home
Ryhope Manor Care Home was one of the care homes which we recently awarded a Star Award based on all the positive feedback the Healthwatch team received as part of the Care Home Life work.
This work involved the team visiting all care homes across Sunderland, to find out what it is like to live there. This was done by talking to residents, staff and resident’s family and friends.
On completion of the work, Healthwatch Sunderland wanted to recognise the contribution and celebrate those homes who had gone the extra mile.
On Thursday 12th July members of the Healthwatch Sunderland Engagement Team visited Ryhope Manor to present the Manager, Ann Schorer and her staff with the award. They were delighted, Ann said:
“Thank you so much for the award I feel so proud of all my staff as we have come so far with all the hard work we have done to change Ryhope Manor I thank all the families for their lovely kind words but I would like to thank Agnes (home owner), if it was not for her Ryhope Manor would not be the lovely care home it is today.”
Published: 13/08/2018
Valley View & The Lodge Care Home
The Healthwatch Sunderland Engagement Team went along to
Valley View & The Lodge Care Home on Tuesday 10th July 2018 to present the Manager, Kim Teasdale and her team with a well-earned Star Award. The award was given after the positive feedback the Healthwatch team received as part of our Care Home Life work.
This work involved the team visiting all care homes across Sunderland, to find out what it is like to live there. This was done by talking to residents, staff and resident’s family and friends.
On completion of the work, Healthwatch Sunderland wanted to recognise the contribution and celebrate those homes who had gone the extra mile.
Kim Teasdale, Manager said:
“I would like to thank all who took the time to give positive feedback and recognise the high standards of care provided by the team at Valley View Care Home. Myself and the team are very proud to have received the Healthwatch Sunderland Star Award.”
Published: 13/08/2018
Phoenix Unit, Sunderland Royal Hospital
On 19th July 2018 our Engagement team visited the Phoenix Unit at Sunderland Royal Hospital to present the staff team with a Healthwatch nominate a Star Award. The Phoenix Unit is the Trust’s Chemotherapy, Haematology and Infusion Day Unit, and we have recently received some amazing feedback from those who have used its services. On behalf of the patients we have spoken to over the past few months the Engagement team issued the award in recognition of the fantastic work the team are doing.
Feedback received included:
“Phoenix Unit provided me with excellent care. I’ve had cancer twice and each time I cannot fault any aspect of my care – Wonderful”.
“They work so hard and look after you really well, they were lovely. A 5 star service”.
“From start to finish they have been good. The girls (staff) are great”.
Published: 23/07/2018
Villette Surgery
Villette Surgery has been awarded a Healthwatch Sunderland star award to celebrate all the positive feedback we have received about the practice over the past months. The Engagement Co-ordinator went along to Villette Surgery on 16th May to present the team with the award.
The feedback was gathered by our Volunteer Healthwatch Champions while speaking to Sunderland residents about the health and care services they receive. We followed this up with a more focused piece of work and visited Villette Surgery in March 2018 where we spoke to patients who were very positive about the reception staff, doctors, nurses and processes at the practice.
Jackie Padget, Practice Manager and her team were delighted with the Star Award.
Jackie said; “Thank you to all of our patients that took the time to give positive feedback about their experience with the surgery. The comments received are very much appreciated; it is always nice for the staff to receive positive feedback as they work very hard to ensure our patients receive the best service. The award will be displayed very proudly in our waiting area. Thank you.”
Well done and thank you Villette Road Surgery!
Published: 05/06/2018
Happy House Surgery
Happy House Surgery has been awarded a Healthwatch Sunderland star award to celebrate the fabulous feedback we have received about the practice over the past months. Members of our Engagement Team went along to Happy House Surgery on Monday 23th April to present the team with the award.
The feedback was gathered by our Volunteer Healthwatch Champions while they attended local community venues and health centres across the city, speaking to Sunderland residents about the health and care services they receive. We followed this up with a more focused piece of work and visited the Happy House Surgery in March 2018 where we spoke to patients who were very positive about the reception staff, doctors, nurses and processes at the practice.
Steven Harder, Practice Manager and his team were delighted to receive a Star Award. Steven said;
“It has been a difficult year for the NHS as a whole and the Practice has felt its share of the pressure so it is a real boost to us to be awarded the Healthwatch Sunderland certificate, particularly as it come from those patients who have taken the trouble to make contact with Healthwatch to comment on the positive experiences they have had with the surgery.”
Well done and thank you Happy House Surgery!
Published: 26/04/2018
St Benedict's Hospice
The feedback we receive for St Benedict's Hospice, which is based in Ryhope is continually positive.
The people of Sunderland nominated the hospice for a Star Award, for their professional, supportive and caring staff, fabulous premises and good treatment.
If you would like to nominate a health or social care worker, team or service for a Star Award click here!
Published: 21/11/2017
Sunderland Surgical Day Unit
We received this nomination for Star Service from Sunderland People First for the work the unit do to support people with learning disabilities or autism.
So what was the reason for the nomination? Andy from Sunderland People First said "The support offered includes arranging pre-visits, making changes to the environment and coordinating multiple procedures to avoid repeat visits. The team have provided examples of individualised support which has enabled patients who find accessing hospital difficult, to undergo procedures.
The person-centred planning and the way that the team adjust services around individual needs is an example of exceptional practice and should be shared with other areas."
Read what Sunderland People First found out when they visited the unit here.
Published: 12/09/2017
Jo West, Wearside Medical Practice
Jo West, Nurse Practitioner at Wearside Medical Practice has been awarded a Healthwatch Sunderland Star Award for all the positive feedback we have received from her patients!
Feedback included:
"Very professional and helpful always has time for you."
"Excellent, nothing is too much trouble, puts you at ease, heart of gold."
Published: 13/07/2017
Broadway Medical Practice
On 26th May the Broadway Medical Practice on Springwell Road was awarded with a Star Service Award. Over the last few months we have received great feedback about the practice, doctors and staff.
Here are some of the comments we received:
"The GP is very good at listening and making you feel less anxious".
"Excellent service, lovely staff, helpful".
"All staff and doctors, such a friendly, efficient practice"
"Excellent reception staff and good doctors"
"Very high standard set by all staff"
Published: 07/06/2017
Paediatric Team, Sunderland Royal Hospital
Healthwatch Sunderland awarded the Paediatric team at Sunderland Royal Hospital our Star Service Award for the continuing positive feedback we collated on their services and staff over a period of several months.
Some of the feedback included:
"The consultant was fantastic, all staff we came into contact with at the centre were fantastic, friendly and patient and I cannot praise them enough."
"Helpful & nicest people, doctor is so down to earth, helpful, doctor is an outstanding person & it is a great pleasure."
"Care was really good, All the nurses and doctors were very friendly, they had already read the notes and our history of treatment."
Published: 09/05/2017
Fulwell Medical Centre
Fulwell Medical Group have been awarded Healthwatch Sunderland star organisation.
After received eight months of continuous good feedback from it's patients, the medical group were awarded with a Healthwatch Sunderland star in recognition of their great work.
Staff were delighted with the award and will be proudly displaying it within their patient area.
Published: 02/11/2016
Sunderland Eye Infirmary
Sunderland Eye Infirmary have been awarded Healthwatch Sunderland star organisation following all the positive feedback from the public and amazing work they carry out.
The feedback was collected through online and postal surveys and telephone calls into Healthwatch Sunderland alongside data collected from Patient Opinion, NHS Choices, Google Reviews, CQC Inspection Report and the Friends and Family Test.
Sunderland Eye Infirmary provides a whole range of ophthalmic services for the population of Sunderland and the immediate surrounding area and is also a sub regional centre, servicing the population of the North East of England.
Published: 02/11/2016
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