“Awards an antidote to negative coverage of care workers”

So it makes a very welcome change to have the opportunity to celebrate some of the excellent work that goes on here in Buckinghamshire.

A couple of weeks ago, Aylesbury’s Waterside Theatre was the venue for the Buckinghamshire Dignity & Respect Awards, where the audience were invited to vote for the very best examples of how people go that extra mile when providing care to patients, service users and their carers across the county.

Now in its third year, the Awards are growing in popularity with over 40 nominations received this year across the three categories of Community, Health, and Social Care – and with that level of interest from both fellow professionals and the public, being a winner is a very special accolade.

It was great to see people from the caring professions being recognised for the kindness and respect they consistently give and the difference this makes to those in their care.

Hearing the testimonials given by ordinary members of the public is certainly an antidote to the negative coverage sometimes given to the caring professions.

Although it’s always the duty of the NHS and the local authority to take appropriate measures to ensure that everyone in our care is kept safe from harm, it’s also vitally important to remember the general day-to-day 
professional dedication of our staff and all the good practice that sometimes goes unrecognised in our health and social care services.

I’d like to commend everyone who contributed to the success of this year’s Dignity & Respect Awards, a memorable event that provided an excellent showcase and celebration of the outstanding work that goes on in Buckinghamshire’s Communities, Health and Adult Social Care services.