Trailblazing ‘beacon of hope’ healthcare team named Highland Heroes
THE pioneering success of a health rehabilitation team offering “a second chance at life” for many by maximising their independence at home earned special recognition at Highland Heroes.
Mid Ross Rehabilitation Team, based at the Ross Memorial Hospital, in Dingwall, was described “a beacon of hope” for people recovering from illness or injury.
Karen Crawford, integrated team manager, was clearly thrilled for the recognition given to her team as they took to the stage on winning the Healthcare Hero of the Year award. She said they were “outstandingly excited” to be nominated and said the win was “exactly what the team needed to evidence their success”.
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“I’m so proud of them all,” she said.
The team works in an integrated way to create a package of shared care across community physiotherapists, occupational therapists and their team colleagues.
A nomination said: “They shine as a beacon of hope and compassion, going beyond their professional duties to make an indelible impact on the lives of patients. These are not just healthcare workers, they are lifelines. They offer more than rehabilitation; they offer a second chance at life.”
Mid Ross district manager, Kenny Rodgers, said: “Karen is a physiotherapist to trade and rehabilitation is her passion, and with that she developed the model of care that is a rehab-first approach and maximising people’s independence at home. That has been a trailblazer in Highland.”
Karen added: “It’s really nice to be recognised for the pioneering work we’ve done. It’s unique to Mid Ross. It’s lovely for us to see that people who are being supported feel it's beneficial and our vision is being fulfilled.”
She said: “I think that we've been overwhelmed by the support that we've had from our own professionals within NHS Highland, but also the wider sector that we work with, and also the community that we support in terms of rehabilitation. So Midross covers quite a large area.
“It covers the Black Isle, it covers Muir of Ord, Dingwall, Strathpeffer. So it's a big area, and we do our best to support everyone to get that opportunity, and to improve their function and live the best lives they can.”
Physiotherapist Neil Hastie said: “As health professionals, it's the people that you treat in the community, and the patients that really drive you. That's why we get into this job.
“So I think anything that's voted by the community means so much more. So the fact it's gone out to a community vote, there was over 10,000 people responded, makes it really special.”
