CTM's Sophie wins Rising Star Award at the Advancing Healthcare Awards 2024

Sophie Roberts-Kozok, Senior Operating Department Practitioner for Anaesthetics – Wellbeing Lead, Prince Charles Hospital, has won a Rising Star Award at the Advancing Healthcare Awards 2024.

The Advancing Healthcare Awards recognise and celebrate the work of allied health professionals, healthcare scientists and those who work alongside them in support roles, leading innovative healthcare practice across the UK.

This year’s winners were announced at a ceremony Friday 26 April at the Park Plaza Victoria, London.

Sophie was recognised for her work on wellbeing, which has improved patient safety, theatre efficiency and reduced waiting lists.

Sophie said “It was an honour to be shortlisted for the Rising Star Award, never mind being lucky enough to actually be successful in receiving the award. Wellbeing is a hot topic within the NHS and with busy working environments, it isn’t always possible to meet the wellbeing requirements of staff. Since 2020, alongside my role as an ODP, I ventured alone into providing wellbeing support to staff in the theatre department and COVID ITU, which has more recently developed into a team of 15 members called The Happiness Hive.

“Myself and The Happiness Hive have worked hard to continuously provide acts of kindness and support through wellbeing days, advice, direction, emotional support and team bonding activities. Although we naturally do these things without the want or need of recognition, I was delighted that appreciation was given to really highlight how much of an amazing job has been done to help our fellow colleagues in the PCH theatre department. They are a wonderful team and long may the wellbeing journey continue.”

Will Windsor, Senior Clinical Lead, Theatre Productivity – Theatres, Pre-assessment and Day Surgery, said: “When I joined Prince Charles Theatres over a year ago I was very keen to review what wellbeing programs were in place. Coming from Dorset I had already introduced a theatre wellbeing programme, which was supported by key team members within theatres.

“I quickly met Sophie who was very keen to expand upon the amazing work she had delivered during the pandemic. Sophie has put together and led the Happiness Hive (Wellbeing team within theatres, DSU and Pre-Assessment) and has supported our twice yearly wellbeing sessions. Sophie and the team use the Audit day to raise awareness and empower the team to think about wellbeing and what this means to them.

“To date, Sophie has supported sessions such as yoga, gong baths, team building exercises, promoting hobbies and the (famous) cake bake sales that go on throughout the year to raise funds. This is a self-funded programme which galvanises the importance of team working and the team taking responsibility for their wellbeing. I am immensely proud of Sophie and the team and see the award as a huge positive. I hope this recognition help to promote the importance of looking after our teams. Happy teams and happy patients.”

16/05/2024