WHEN the Royal Bournemouth and Christchurch hospitals’ Change Champions first got together in 2015 they could not have dreamed that two years later they'd scoop a prestigious national award for their work.

But they were named winners of the Health Service Journal’s (HSJ) award for Staff Engagement for their work on culture change in the Trust.

The team's job has been to improve the working environment for staff, work on culture change, and empower staff to provide the best care for patients.

Their work has included listening to staff about how they want to be recognised which led to the first #ThankYou! Day, attended by more than 1,100 members of staff which introduced a simplified and inclusive approach to trust objectives. They also brought in a new training programme on customer care.

The London awards ceremony was hosted by comedian and TV personality Sir Lenny Henry and the award categories recognised and celebrated a vast array of outstanding achievements by the NHS.

Judges said the team: “Radiated enthusiasm for their staff engagement work, which built true confidence among colleagues. They are setting a good environment within their organisations for the continued journey ahead,” they added.

Change Champion Debbie Detheridge said: “This is the proudest work achievement of my career.”

Their was more acknowledgement when the Trust’s Stroke Team was shortlisted in the International Health Partnership category. The team has worked with the Wessex Ghana Partnership since 2009, helping to establish and advance stroke care in the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital in Ghana.