HC-One’s COVID-19 Lead, Liz Whyte has been victorious in winning ‘The Social Care Covid Hero Award’ at the York and Humberside Region of the Great British Care Awards 2022 which took place at the Leeds Armouries on Friday 11th November 2022.
The Great British Care Awards are a variety of regional events which take place across the UK, celebrating excellence across the care sector and paying tribute to those who have demonstrated amazing accomplishments within their field of work across 23 different award categories.
Liz has been named as the winner of ‘The Social Care Covid Hero Award’ category due to demonstrating that she has gone above and beyond during the COVID-19 pandemic.
A Registered Nurse with over 30 years’ experience in the care sector, Liz is passionate about the care and wellbeing of older people. Liz has steered HC-One care homes safely through the COVID-19 pandemic and has been a pillar of support, dedication and unwavering commitment to everyone.
Liz has demonstrated true leadership and teamwork in equal measures. Liz has coached those around her to take on additional responsibility and empowered others through the personal relationships they build with those around them.
During the pandemic, she has remained attentive to the needs of her Colleagues and compassionate towards Colleagues, Residents and their families, always putting the safety of Residents first whilst having a sympathetic and compassionate approach to Relatives.
Her work on wellbeing and dementia care has helped HC-One’s provision of this aspect of care to promote the use of technology to enable communication with families and resources to promote the best care possible in a socially distanced environment.
Liz’s unwavering commitment and empathy for Residents, Colleagues, and Relatives has been seen by those working with her. Liz has worked with the responsibility of shaping and guiding the safety of over 50,000 people, with at times limited guidance.
The judges at the York and Humberside Region of the Great British Care Awards 2022 who selected Liz as the winner said:
“Liz was contemplating slowing down and taking semi-retirement when Covid hit. She took on the role as Covid lead for the whole company with c.300 homes. Liz’s approach did not feel corporate, but personal. Her care and commitment for every resident, their loved ones and staff member, really shone through.”
Liz Whyte, COVID-19 Lead at HC-One, winner of ‘The Social Care Covid Hero Award’ said:
“I am thrilled to have been selected as the winner of ‘The Social Care Covid Hero Award’ at the York and Humberside Region of the Great British Care Awards 2022. I look forward to attending the National Finals next year!”
In total, two HC-One Colleagues were announced as winners and one Colleague was Highly Commended in their respective categories at the York and Humberside Region of the Great British Care Awards 2022. Liz and the successful winners of the York and Humberside regional awards will now progress to the National Finals of the Great British Care Awards 2023 taking place on Friday 17th March 2023 at the ICC in Birmingham.
Julie Kerry, Director of Quality and Chief Nurse at HC-One who nominated Liz Whyte for the award, said:
“I am elated that Liz has been selected as the winner of ‘The Social Care Covid Hero Award’ by the judging panel at the York and Humberside Region of the Great British Care Awards this year. I am so proud of Liz and her accomplishments.
“Despite Liz’s career trajectory, she is a Nurse at heart and what has always been paramount is the care and wellbeing of Residents. Liz has played a vital role in ensuring the best care for thousands of Residents over the past 30 years, I couldn’t think of anyone who is more deserving of this award.
“Being named as a winner at these well-respected awards is a testament to the dedication Liz has demonstrated, even in the most challenging of times. Liz has truly gone above and beyond to provide the kindest care to Residents and support to Colleagues, Relatives and those within the local community, supporting our mission to be the first-choice care provider in each of the communities that we serve.”