Paediatric nurse at QEH wins national award
Chris Harrison, started working at the West Norfolk hospital 24 years ago
A paediatric nurse at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in King's Lynn has won a national award- for championing play for seriously ill children.
Chris Harrison started working at the West Norfolk hospital 24 years ago and is now lead nurse in the paediatric unit.
He won the 'Protector of Play Award' after being nominated by his colleague, Stephany and called this moment his "biggest accolade to date".
"I'm very lucky to love the job that I do"
Chris says he's thrilled to win the award:
"In nurse training they very much go on about child protection being everyone's business. That's hugely important, but play is also everyone's business because without that we can't get children through hospital procedures, because you need to bring a link from the home to the hospital.
"I'm very lucky to love the job that I do. To be recognised for the job on a different level is really humbling but also something to celebrate. There is normally a lot of bad press around hospitals, pressures and everything that surrounds the NHS. But to actually celebrate something really positive is so good. We have celebrated, it may just be an extra ten minutes in the tea break room with a packet of biscuits".
"Things go missing and things get broken, and it just needed a revamp"
He also told us they've freshen up the most important part of the QEH, post pandemic:
"The unit was turned into an A&E unit for Covid. So, when things come back, things don't come back the same. Things go missing and things get broken, and it just needed a revamp. So, we've updated the logo, we've got a lion that helps children and young people go through their surgical journey".
"We have reached out to our local community to help us and charities as well. We have revamped the services to make it the best it can be for the children. All of those things we put in the nomination and when they emailed me, they said it was a unanimous decision".
"Thank you for all you have done and continue to do"
Laura Skaife-Knight, Deputy CEO at QEH, said:
“Chris is very patient-focused, and always striving to improve the care, experience, and environment for our children and young people. He’s a true advocate for our patients and their families and is a deserving winner of this national award.
From everyone here at the QEH we want to say a massive congratulations and thank you for all you have done and continue to do for our patients and their families – it is greatly appreciated.”