District Nursing Sister receives prestigious award
A Wolverhampton District Nursing Sister has won a prestigious award after showing effective leadership in her role – proving to be a chip off the old block.
Rebecca Steel, 35, who works within planned care adult community based at Wolverhampton Science Park, has won the Nell Phoenix Charitable Arts Fund Award.
Nell Phoenix was a patient who received excellent care at the old Royal Hospital in Wolverhampton several decades ago and, in 1968, generously left a sum of money in her will to set up a fund for the nurses of Wolverhampton to enjoy the arts.
Introduced in 2016 by then Chief Nurse Cheryl Etches, staff can be nominated for the award each month but it is awarded on a quarterly basis, at the discretion of Prof Ann-Marie Cannaby, Chief Nurse. The winner receives a £25 voucher.
Since its inception, the Fund’s criteria has been extended to include non-registered nurses and midwives.
Rebecca is following in the footsteps of her mum Rosemary Steel, who is still working at The Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trustafter clocking up more than 50 years’ service with the organisation.
Rosemary, who is Specialist Respiratory Physiologist – Oxygen Lead, from Westcroft near New Cross Hospital, was rewarded for her long service by officially turning on the Christmas lights at New Cross last year.
Rebecca started at the Trust in 2003 as a cadet nurse and qualified in 2008. She worked in New Cross Hospital until 2016 until switching to district nursing in the community.
She said: “I was surprised but truly touched to receive such a special award. It really means a lot that someone took the time to nominate me and write such lovely words.
“I love my job and always try to give my all. We’ve been faced with some challenging times within District Nursing, and I feel I was just doing my best for the team.
“We’ve all pulled together as a team to ensure safe, high-quality care is delivered to our patients. I’m proud to work with such hardworking, amazing nurses and healthcare assistants every day.”
Hayley Law, Service Delivery Manager – Planned Care Adult Community and Professional Nurse Advocate, nominated Rebecca.
She said: “Rebecca always goes above and beyond in her role of the Junior Sister. Rebecca studied the specialist practitioner degree within district nursing through the COVID-19 pandemic and successfully secured a substantive post as a junior sister, post qualifying.
“She has only been in post for a year but in this time has become a rising star, ensuring the patients always have safe and effective care delivered.
“She often works overtime to ensure the delivery of care is to the highest standard and supports her team superbly.
“Rebecca always ensures care, compassion, communication and commitment are a part of her daily routine.
“She is caring and committed to her job. Rebecca demonstrates effective leadership and management to such a high level and attends regular Multi-Disciplinary Teams (MDTs) meetings to ensure safe discharges from the team’s caseload are well managed, keeping patients safe within their own homes.
“At a time when recruitment has been a challenge within district nursing, Rebecca has been the only junior sister in her team. But alongside her team leader, she has continued to shine throughout her time in post.”
The connection to the Trust continues with Rebecca’s husband of 10 years Stuart Sim, an Operating Department Practitioner (ODP) in head and neck theatres at New Cross, where they met in 2006. He has worked at the Trust for 21 years. The couple live in Featherstone with their two children, Seb, nine and daughter Blake, three.