Three shortlisted from Plymouth Hospitals at this year's Leadership Recognition Awards

A project supporting young people with learning disabilities, a Consultant Surgeon and the Trust’s Deputy Chief Executive have all been shortlisted for this year’s NHS Leadership Recognition Awards, which are run by the South West Leadership Academy.

The work of Project SEARCH, a supported internship programme based at Derriford Hospital, that supports young adults with learning disabilities to gain paid employment has been shortlisted in the NHS Inclusivity Leader of the Year category.

The project, now in its fifth year, is a partnership between Derriford Hospital NHS Trust, Pluss, Serco and City College Plymouth who have come together to offer interns with developmental difficulties a pathway into paid employment.
Pluss Employment Advisor on the project, Pip Critten, commented: “We are proud and humbled to be considered amongst the very best working in inclusivity within the NHS and are passionate about the benefits of Project SEARCH, not just to the interns but the whole workforce and wider community.”

Colorectal Consultant, Mark Coleman, who has been a consultant surgeon at Derriford Hospital since 2001, has been shortlisted for the NHS Leadership Recognition Award for Outstanding Collaborative Leadership.

Speaking of his nomination, Mark said: “Since being appointed as a consultant at the Trust in 2001, I have spent most of the last 13 years in leadership roles locally, regionally and nationally. I am proud of the achievements I have made. I could not have done this without the support of my colleagues from the Trust.

“This shortlisting is in recognition of collaborative leadership; a key part of my style as national leader of the Lapco National Training Programme in Laparoscopic Colorectal Surgery.”

Deputy Chief Executive and Director of Finance, Joe Teape, has been nominated for NHS Development Champion of the Year. Joe was nominated for the award by a colleague for his leadership in improving the health and wellbeing of his team and for being instrumental in inspiring and motivating others to develop their own leadership skills.

His nominator described him as a role model and described how Joe has been an ambassador for recognising, raising and addressing important issues that directly result in improved patient care.

Joe said: “It is great to be nominated for an award but the progress made by the finance, procurement and performance teams, for which I am the director, has truly been made from within the team, with many individuals taking responsibility to improve our services to the Trust and our patients whilst developing ourselves personally. I am extremely proud of my team for their commitment, work ethic and focus on patient care.”

Ann James, Chief Executive of Plymouth Hospitals NHS Trust, said: “We have some fantastic leaders at the Trust and it is great to see this being recognised at the regional leadership awards. I would like to wish them all the very best for the night.”
The awards will be held on Friday 21 November 2014 at The Brunel’s Old Station, Bristol. The winners of each category will go through to the National NHS Leadership Recognition Awards.