Nurse shortlisted for Flu Fighter Award

Anita Hastings, Staff Nurse in Respiratory Medicine outpatients at the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital (NNUH) has been shortlisted in the Flu Fighter Champion category of the NHS Employers, Flu Fighter Awards 2012/13.

Anita is one of 29 ward vaccinators trained by the Occupational Health team at the NNUH, but what makes Anita stand out from the other ward vaccinators is that she goes the extra mile to ensure a high percentage of the respiratory department, not just the ward, receive their flu vaccination each year.

Anita often came in on her days off to vaccinate in sessions, which meant she was able to vaccinate 130 people in the first week of our flu jab campaign. Anita did this by offering her colleagues in respiratory medicine appointment times to save them having to wait when they were busy. She also offered ‘drop in’ sessions and blocked bookings to other areas within the hospital, and fit these in within in her normal work load.

The total number of vaccinations given by ward vaccinators was 882 (28% of the total vaccinations given to NNUH staff). Anita managed to vaccinate 170 colleagues in just three weeks and gave the most flu vaccinations to colleagues within the NNUH, with the exemption of those given by the Occupational Health Team.

Chris Parfitt, Senior Nurse for Respiratory Medicine at the NNUH said “a tremendous effort has been demonstrated by Anita in ensuring her colleagues in this high risk area are protected for the flu season.”

Hilary Winch, Occupation Health Nurse Manager who co-ordinates the flu vaccination campaign each year said “Anita is a valuable asset to our flu vaccination campaign, encouraging and stressing to her colleagues in respiratory medicine the importance of having their flu vaccination each year.”

The winner of the award will be announced at a ceremony at Leeds City Museum on 27th February.