The Community Paediatric Team at Eastgate House in Bristol has won an award for Training Environment of the Year, while two clinicians have also been rewarded for their efforts.
Clare Sheahan, a Consultant Community Paediatrician with the Community Children’s Health Partnership (CCHP), was awarded Educational Supervisor of the Year, while Pam Ellis was named the Unsung Hero for going ‘above and beyond’ in her work as a clinic assistant.
Eastgate House, in Eastville, is a community hub for the Partnership’s East Central Team which comprises Community Paediatrics, Physiotherapists, Occupational Therapists and Speech and Language Therapists (SALT). The CCHP is provided by Sirona care & health and partners.
The team received the accolade during an online ceremony at the regional Paediatric Awards for Training Achievements (PAFTAs) for its dedication to training paediatric doctors.
The nomination said: “The team at Eastgate is one of the most inclusive I’ve worked in. Every team member’s contribution is valued, with everyone being treated equally, regardless of role. The care shown towards children and their families is compassionate and meticulous.
“From a training perspective, I’ve felt really well supported. The Consultants, Physios, SALT team and Educational Psychologists were always keen for me to join clinics/meetings – the one-to-one clinical teaching has been fantastic. I’ve learnt a lot about different consultation styles – which has helped shape my own.”
Emma Bradley, CCHP’s Consultant Paediatrician and Designated Doctor for Safeguarding Children, accepted the award on behalf of the team and thanked her colleagues for making it a ‘great place to work and train’.
She said: “This is real recognition of how absolutely everyone here supports the doctors in training and is so welcoming and supportive of them during their placements here.”
Clare Sheahan picked up the award for Educational Supervisor of the Year. Her nomination said: “I have been fortunate to join Clare for several clinics during my rotation where I witnessed first-hand her compassion and genuine care for patients.
“During clinics she always took time to ask my opinion and observations which allowed lots of opportunity for learning. I feel that she has positively influenced by approach to patient care specifically her sensitivity in dealing with difficult issues such as domestic violence and challenging behaviour.”
Speaking about the award, Clare said: “We have some amazing trainees that come through and I learn as much from them as they learn from us.
“Eastgate has a very good environment which is why it received the award. We all really believe in education and that by supporting medical students and trainees it’s better for all and that’s how we grow good doctors. We are very lucky to have such an excellent team in the community paediatric department and it’s good to keep it going.”
The Unsung Hero award was presented to Pam Ellis who trainees described as the ‘most caring and lovely person’ and a ‘huge emotional support’ to doctors and clinicians. They said: “She will check up on us if she hears that a consultation has been challenging, and she is a great emotional support and sounding board.
“Pam is also the most efficient and friendly clinic assistant I have ever worked with. She immediately forms an excellent rapport with both the patient and their carers, making these often very vulnerable families feel at ease. Pam goes above and beyond in all she does at work. She is an asset to our team and deserves recognition for the amazing job she does.”
Pam also runs a phlebotomy clinic across Bristol and South Gloucestershire. She said: “I just love my job. I love working with the people I work with and the families. It’s never hard to get up in the morning to come to work.
“It’s a lovely team and the doctors are all absolutely fabulous. To win the award was just amazing because there were so many other fantastic nominees.”
The PAFTAs for the Severn training region are run by the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health. They recognise trainees and educational supervisors who go above and beyond for their colleagues or patients.