Pathology win Team of the Month for outstanding pandemic work

Sharon Acton, Pathology Directorate Manager (centre) with staff as they receive their Team of the Month certificate

Pathology have won the Team of the Month award for their outstanding work throughout the pandemic. The team have been responsible for handling thousands of Covid test samples, with more than 1,000 being processed per day. They have worked beyond expectation to keep patients and staff safe, to ensure critical staffing levels are met and that flow throughout the hospital is sufficient.

Dr Melissa Hubbard, Consultant Paediatrician, nominated the team.

Dr Hubbard said: “Covid has focused much attention on frontline staff and rightly so, but there is an unseen frontline without whom any of us would ever have got through the logistical difficulties of Covid. The entire team have worked tirelessly to keep the machines grinding and the results churning. They have been thrown countless curveballs and worked under huge pressures but have kept their heads and shown utter professionalism. Staff changed their working hours and have shown exemplary teamwork. I am so proud of them for their responsiveness, patience, staff focus and can-do attitude. Whatever is thrown at them, they have delivered.”

The team were presented with their certificate by Lorraine Whitehead, Director of Estates, Facilities and PFI.

Lorraine said: “Pathology have worked absolutely fearlessly and tirelessly to get the job done and we couldn’t have done it without them. I am full of admiration for their skill and determination and it’s a real honour to present them with this award.”

Sharon Acton, Pathology Directorate Manager, said: “This year has been without doubt the most challenging we have ever faced. The demand on Pathology in terms of Covid testing has been unprecedented but the team has consistently adapted to the relentless changes in practices and testing in order to deliver results to our patients and staff. The focus has been on Covid testing but all other departments have played their part in providing an excellent pathology service for our local population. The entire team has stepped up to the plate during the pandemic and the professionalism, adaptability and dedication displayed they have displayed has been truly inspiring.”

Thanks to their hard work, the team have still managed to make progress on a number of projects during this time, including the introduction of new blood sciences platforms and the formation of the North Midlands and Cheshire Pathology Service, along with the introduction of an electronic appointment system in Phlebotomy.