Senior Healthcare Assistant wins prestigious national award

A Senior Healthcare Assistant who is raising awareness of elder abuse has won a prestigious national award.

Debbie Harris works for Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust’s (EPUT) Frailty Service in south east Essex and was named bronze award winner in the Apprentice of the Year category at the national Our Health Heroes Awards last night.

Debbie, who is completing a Level 3 Healthcare Support Worker apprenticeship, was recognised for going above and beyond in her role, successfully juggling a busy day job whilst taking on additional duties to help safeguard elderly members of the community.

She works with many elderly people, and because elder abuse is generally under-reported, she decided to raise awareness of the issue and improve reporting processes at EPUT.

She conducted research into how reporting can be improved and recommended service improvements in her local area.

Speaking at the awards ceremony, Debbie said: “I really am blown away. I wasn't expecting it at all. In my life stage I’m supposed to be taking it easy, but I've actually carried on with my learning, and I'm absolutely blown away to have won an award.

“I really do need to thank my colleagues, my sister and everyone that's been around me for their support. I feel very lucky, very proud.”

Skills for Health have been championing the voices of the UK healthcare workforce since 2002 and the Health Heroes award was created to champion real people, who are at the heart of our healthcare system.