Health visitor from NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde children's services crowned our national health superhero
On 5 July the national health superheroes campaign launched, celebrating 70 years of the NHS and all the amazing people who make it what it is. The winner was drawn on Friday 31 August and we're excited to announce that Janine Clark, a children and families support worker from NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde children's services, is our national health superhero.
We've proudly supported the NHS for the last 30 years, providing joined-up technology to help improve patient safety and service efficiency, but we know that technology is only part of the picture. This is why we've been asking people to nominate their national health superheroes - the everyday heroes who go that extra mile to improve the lives of patients and colleagues alike.
We received an abundance of incredible nominations, from receptionists to IT managers, paramedics to midwives. It's been a privilege to read about so many dedicated and inspiring people, every one of whom would have made a worthy winner.
Nominations outlined the amazing work of individuals. They included those who help out at homeless centres in their spare time, have set up specialist services, and who give it their all, every day, to ensure patients get the best possible care.
Janine, or Jan to her friends, has been a support worker for almost 20 years, working with a variety of health visiting teams. She was nominated by a colleague for always going the extra mile to make a difference to families' lives. She does a number of amazing things like building relationships to support change, meeting parents who are attending groups for the first time, linking families to other available support and even helping families in need to get clothing and furniture.
Over the years Jan has established and run baby massage groups and breast feeding support. She always makes time to support a parent at short notice and finds it very rewarding to put a parent at ease and build their confidence.
As well as helping out families, the nomination highlighted Jan's positivity. She's always keeping the team cheerful and motivated, making a special effort to bring smiles and laughter when the pressure is on.
The words used to sum up our national health superhero were "caring, compassionate, committed, inclusive and professional", and after reading the nomination we couldn't agree more.
As the prize for being drawn, Jan will receive a pampering spa weekend for some well-deserved relaxation. Whilst we can't offer this to every nominee we'd like to offer our congratulations and thanks. One thing is certain, the NHS isn't short of heroes.