Thank You Event 2025: Making Stuff Better – Winner
June 18, 2025
Every year we celebrate our amazing staff and their achievements at our Thank You ceremony. Board members will surprise colleagues at their bases and present them with a hamper, balloons and a certificate for being shining examples of our magnificent staff behaviours.
Tuberculosis (TB) disproportionality affects people experiencing poverty, due to various socioeconomic factors that create a higher risk of TB infection, disease progression and challenges in accessing treatment and engaging with care. Over the last five years, the TB service has seen this more than ever with a rise in the number of patients needing additional support. Food poverty, digital exclusion and limited finances are some of the factors negatively affecting patients with TB and finding solutions to help patients can be difficult.
This year, TB Nurse Specialist, Kate Quyn has developed an excellent initiative whereby patients are able to repurpose phones. By loaning the handsets for the duration of time the patient is on treatment, clinicians are able to have contact with patients on a regular basis when treatment for active TB disease is fundamental to adherence and ensuring the patient remains well and engaged with what is often a lengthy treatment regime. The scheme launches following various approval and implementation stages, ensuring Information Governance and IT requirements were met and protected.
This is a marvellous example of reducing barriers to health, making the service more equitable for patients and finding solutions. Sustainability within the Trust is paramount more than ever and this initiative is an excellent example of making things better for patients. The initiative promotes fairness and social sustainability without additional financial pressures.
One patient who had been previously difficult to contact and treat benefited enormously from the usage of the Trust mobile handset. After being unable to offer support with medication adherence due to not being able to physically see or speak to them, they were having episodes of severe vomiting needing hospital admission regularly. Kate arranged and delivered a mobile handset for the patient, which meant the patient was easily contacted and contactable. Notably, there were no further hospital admissions following the enablement of regular contact and nursing assessment. They have since completed nine months of TB treatment and are now back in work. The patient also gave the service feedback on how they had benefited from the use of the mobile handset during treatment.
Kate constantly looks to develop and ‘make things better’ for her patients with small projects. Kate liaised with West Yorkshire Metro to secure 50 free bus tickets for the TB team to gift to patients to assist them attending frequent hospital appointments.
Kate was nominated by Vicky Legg, Clinical Lead (TB Service) who said, “Her persistence and continued ideas including working with third and private sector organisations is phenomenal and makes all the difference in addressing health inequalities facing our patients every day. Kate is the driving force within the TB Team in exploring new ideas and pushing boundaries that often negatively impact patients. She is a very deserved of this award.”
Kate was surprised with a visit from Brodie Clark CBE who awarded her a certificate, hamper and cake and celebrated her, "It’s truly commendable to see your innovative ideas and approaches brought to life to support those facing significant challenges. Your dedication and commitment are invaluable — thank you."
