Ellen Maxwell, Rebecca Melling and Mags Sanders - Health Outreach and Inclusion workers at WWL
Members of Wrightington, Wigan and Leigh Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust’s (WWL) Health Outreach and Inclusion Team have been named as finalists at the first ever Best of Wigan Awards.
WWL colleagues, Mags Sanders, Rebecca Melling and Ellen Maxwell, have been recognised for their extraordinary efforts during the global pandemic and for the way they have cared for and empowered vulnerable people to live as independently as possible through the challenges they have faced over the past couple of years.
Speaking ahead of the award ceremony, which is being hosted by the Wigan Observer, Wigan Athletic and Wigan Warriors at the DW Stadium on Friday 2nd December, Mags Sanders, Health Outreach and Inclusion Worker, said:
“We wouldn't be able to provide the service we do without the rest of our colleagues in the team. We love our jobs and we're fortunate that every day is different, and every patient has their own individual story, culture and personal needs. We have met some amazing people and we're proud to support them."
On hearing the news, Lynne Braley, WWL’s Divisional Director of Operations and Performance for the Community Division added: “We are delighted to see Mags, Rebecca and Ellen recognised like this, and as Mags says, the work they carried out during the height of the pandemic and the essential care they continue to provide is absolutely a team effort, and one which we know is greatly appreciated by the patients they care for.
“The difference to quality of life our community teams provide to the public on a daily basis is something we can all be proud of at WWL.”
As part of the Trust’s Health Outreach and Inclusion Team, Mags, Rebecca and Ellen work to tackle health inequalities within the most vulnerable communities in society. The main function is to support individuals and families, particularly those from disadvantage groups who often have difficulties accessing services.
The team works with a wide range of vulnerable people across the Wigan Borough, to improve access to a variety of health care services with the aim of reducing hospital admissions and offer general physical assessments and screening for Blood Borne Virus (BBV), Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C and HIV.
Many of the services are delivered via the team’s ‘clinic in a box’ mobile assessment facility, which can also offer checks on blood pressure and blood sugar, pulse oximetry, pregnancy testing, urinalysis and advice on healthy eating, advocacy (acting on patients’ behalf), child health advice and signposting/referrals to services.
The team take self-referrals or referrals for professionals and work in community settings, patients’ homes, asylum accommodation, massage parlours and on the streets, when needed.
If you would like to learn more about the services offered by the team, please visit www.wwl.nhs.uk/health-outreach-and-inclusion-service