Nurses from across Cygnet health and social care services were recognised for their outstanding care and compassion at the company’s annual nursing awards.
The Cygnet Nursing Conference and Awards took place last week at the National Motorcycle Museum in Birmingham and recognised nurses and support workers across the organisation, which supports individuals with mental health needs, learning disabilities and autism.
The event was hosted by David Wilmott, Cygnet Group Director of Nursing, who said: “The awards provide an opportunity for staff to nominate colleagues for the exceptional work that they do. This year we had a record number of nominations and it gives me enormous pleasure to recognise those who make outstanding contributions to the care that our service users and residents receive.”
Categories included Nurse of the Year, Support Worker of the Year, Compassionate Leader of the Year and Diversity and Inclusion award.
Gemma Meakin, 34, is a support worker at Birches, a Cygnet Social Care service on Eton Avenue, Newark. She won Support Worker of the year.
On receiving her award, Gemma said: “It is brilliant to represent not only myself but Birches. The residents are absolutely the best thing about my job, seeing them smile and achieve things. I hope the passion for my job shines through.”
Nurse of the Year for Cygnet Health Care was awarded to Memory Mafuleka, a Mental Health Nurse at Cygnet Alders Clinic, a personality disorder service in Gloucester.
Memory said: “I take great pride in winning this award. My job involves supporting women with personality disorder, supporting them through their rehabilitation journey and helping to take care of their needs.
“It is such an honour for me to have this work recognised. I take pride in helping people in their lowest times, through their most difficult periods and to be there with them. They come to us when they are at their most vulnerable and to be a part of their journey when they are struggling and to make a difference is amazing.”
Karen Johnson, Senior Vice President and Chief Clinical Officer, Behavioural Health at Cygnet’s parent company Universal Health Services, Inc. (UHS) announced the finalists and winners of the awards, for which there were 529 nominations across nine awards categories
Dr Tony Romero, CEO of Cygnet, said: “Nursing is a true vocation that requires compassion, knowledge, professionalism, humility and good humour. I am incredibly proud of the talented nursing teams we have across Cygnet who turn up every day to provide care to some of society’s most vulnerable people.
“We owe so much to our nurses and it gives me great pleasure to thank them all and congratulate our award winners. They improve and transform the lives of thousands of people every year, helping each individual to be the best version of themselves.”