Congratulations to Gareth Smith, Audiology Editor on ENT & Audiology News, who has won the Leadership prize in the Shine Awards, which recognise the work of staff at Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust in the UK. At an event on 3 November 2022, the judges observed that Gareth had excelled despite taking on a managerial role during the COVID pandemic, a particularly difficult time.
“He has done an exceptional job of keeping the service running, whilst ensuring staff and patient safety,” they said. “Gareth has developed new COVID protocols for audiology which now benefit the whole trust. He also introduced a journal club to improve shared knowledge and teamwork.”
Over 350 nominations were submitted across nine award categories. Gareth was one of nine winners whittled down from a shortlist of 27.
The judges were impressed with the improvements Gareth had made in a time of change, not least the introduction of remote hearing aid care to adjust patients’ devices from the comfort of their own home.
“Gareth has ensured the team meet high standards of care achieving the new level of IQIPS accreditation, all whilst seeing plenty of patients,” they said.
The full list of winners is here: https://www.mse.nhs.uk/shine-staff-awards/
