The President of the Royal College of Nursing, Cecilia Anim, paid us a visit to see compassionate care on our wards.
The visit was part of day in Yorkshire looking at excellent nursing practice in the region. Cecilia was welcomed by our director of nursing Julie Dawes and her deputy Lindsay Rudge at Trust HQ at HRI and was accompanied by Glenn Turp from the RCN. She then went to Ward 19 and 20 at HRI and onto 5ad at CRH.
Julie Dawes said: "It was a pleasure to welcome the RCN delegation to CHFT and introduce them to our nursing teams during their working day and to show how we are working together in teams to deliver the best quality care for our patients and their families."
Cecilia, said: “I was delighted to visit Calderdale and Huddersfield NHS Foundation Trust, where I had the opportunity to meet with both senior management and frontline staff. Despite the challenges facing the health service, I was happy to see a nurturing, open environment and a dedication to improve outcomes for patients and their families. It is always a pleasure to see their incredible work in action, and my visit has made me even prouder of the nursing profession."
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She added: "Despite the challenges facing our health systems, staff are striving to provide and improve outcomes for patients and their loved ones. I enjoyed the warmth and friendship shown."
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All about Cecilia.
She was elected RCN president in 2014. She was previously elected deputy president in 2010, having been a member for over 30 years, and re-elected to the role in 2012. She was also an RCN steward for 17 years and a health and safety representative for 17 years.
She has worked tirelessly supporting members in three central London NHS trusts.
Cecilia was also the staff-side secretary working in partnership with other unions, and secretary of her local RCN branch for 10 years. She then chaired the new branch and served on the London board before taking up the position of deputy president.
In addition to these responsibilities, Cecilia previously served on the Ethics Forum Steering Committee and was also a member on the RCN Menopause Nurses Steering Group. Cecilia still coordinates the Network Group in London. In recognition of Cecilia's contribution, she and was awarded the RCN Certificate of Merit for outstanding service to members.
Cecilia works as a clinical nurse specialist in sexual and reproductive health at the Margaret Pyke Centre in London and specialises in family planning and aspects of women's health. She has a particular interest in menopause and public health issues.
Cecilia was awarded the Bevan award for Health and Wellbeing in 2013.
Cecilia originally trained as a midwife in Ghana, where she worked before moving to the UK and qualifying as a nurse in 1977.
Cecilia is also actively involved in the activities of her local church, where she is a member of the PCC and also arranges flowers. Furthermore, she is also chair of governors of her local primary school.