22 July 2003

Hospital team wins award for innovativebreast care guide

Bethan Lloyd-Owen and Victoria Jackson at BUPAHospital Little Aston have won an award for their work to promote regularbreast examination.  They developed a simple breast care guide that canhang in the shower and remind women of the importance of regularself-examination and how to carry this out properly.  The guide alsoexplains what women should do if they discover a breast lump. 

The guide has been promoted locally to womenand in the hospital and has received positive feedback from patients andconsultants alike.  It also outlines the breast care services that areprovided at the hospital for local patients.

Bethan and Victorias efforts have beenrewarded as they won a BUPA IDEAS Award.  BUPA encourages staff across allparts of its business to submit IDEAS that will improve either the serviceoffered to customers, operating efficiency or the working environment. IDEAS stands for: Identifying and Developing Employees Alternative Suggestions.

Specialist breast care nurse Bethanexplained:  Showering is a good time for women to carry out breastself-examination and although many lumps do not result in a cancer, it seemed asensible way for us to promote this and at the same time offer women somepractical advice about dealing with a breast lump.

Commenting on their award, hospital marketingmanager, Victoria said:  I never dreamed our idea would get this far andreceive this much recognition from my colleagues.  I was just pleased tobeing working usefully to promote sensible health advice.

Anna Tchaikoksky, general manager at BUPAHospital Little Aston explains:  Early detection and treatment of breastlumps is vitally important, which is why we felt this idea was soworthwhile.  Sutton Coldfield has one of the highest rates of breastcancer in the area.  As an accredited breast care centre, we need to bedoing all we can to educate our community.

Bethan & Victorias IDEA was one of just20 chosen for recognition from around 500 implemented across BUPA.  ValGooding, BUPA chief executive, presented the award at a celebration lunch inLondon.

Val Gooding, BUPA chief executive said: Its a privilege for me to recognise BUPA people who are an inspiration toothers.  We are always looking for small improvements as well as biggerideas and these are examples of people demonstrating real energy and commitmentto considering problems, both great and small, and developing solutions.

Their idea has also been submitted for anexternal "Ideas of the Year" award where the best BUPA ideas are upagainst the best ideas from other private and public organisations.  This event is organised by IDEAS UK and winners will be confirmed later in theyear.

-ENDS-

For further information please contact: 

Victoria Jackson, Marketing Manager, BUPA Hospital Little Aston, 0121 5807259