April 2019
Congratulations to Emily Whitaker who has worked at Hawthorn Street in Hipperholme, Halifax.
Emily has worked at Hawthorn Street for 2 years transferring from a nursing service, she is a supportive member of staff who will share her knowledge of the clients she supports with new workers and agency staff.
Emily always puts the clients at the centre of everything she does. Emily is committed to ensuring that the clients at Hawthorn Street receive the best care possible and have a full filling life. Emily actively promotes dignity, choice, independence and respect for all clients within our service.
Emily supports me with the medication for the clients this includes, ordering, booking in, and working with the pharmacist regarding medication and dealing with any issues, Emily is enthusiastic to learn this process and is aware of the STOMP procedure. Emily is keen to learn the management side of Hawthorn Street and is always readily enthusiastic to help.
A prime example of Emily’s commitment to the clients and Hawthorn Street is that Emily often stays behind at short notice when the house is short of cover and actively organises the house in my absence. She encourages other members of the team to be involved in activities and groups and has recently promoted the new Support worker group in Calderdale within the service.
Emily is key-worker for a client with high complex needs under the COP which includes high recording of reports for the local authority and the advocate service. Emily ensures the client lives a fulfilled life within the community and had recently arranged a trip on the Flying Scotsman and an 80th Birthday Party.
Emily supported this specific client (in a role as key worker) who had a period of serious ill health last year. During this time, she provided a lot of 1:1 support at the hospital to ensure that a consistent approach was taken and that her client was given reassurance and supported to effectively communicate his needs at what was a potentially anxious and difficult time for him. Emily has an excellent understanding of this clients support needs and was able to advocate for him in a dignified and respectful manner as this was a stressful time, particularly as the client had to have surgery which had a significant impact on his life and long-lasting consequences to his lifestyle, Emily adopted a calm and sensitive approach which undoubtedly made a big difference and helped make the whole experience a more positive one.
A year later and the client is doing incredibly well, he now has an active social life and a busy timetable of activities throughout the week
Emily attends the dignity functions and is a member of the Healthy Eating Group in Calderdale and supports clients to enjoy these activities.
Emily never seeks thanks for what she does, but consistently provides a very high standard of care and support to all the clients living at Hawthorn Street.
As Emily’s manager I would not be able to achieve the extra activities for a specific client that we do as a service without Emily’s commitment and enthusiasm. I often receive excellent feedback from outside professionals regarding Emily’s commitment, Emily is a good ambassador for St Anne’s and Hawthorn Street.