In 2019, Chief Nursing Officer Dame Ruth May launched the Chief Nursing Officer and Chief Midwifery Officer for England Awards at the CNO Summit 2019, however this year at the CNO Summit 2022 she decided to launch new categories for awards, including Healthcare support workers (HCSW). This means Chrissie should be so proud, as she is one of the very first to receive such an award! 
The Chief Nursing Officer (CNO) awards for Healthcare Support Workers (HCSW) are based on their demonstration of the NHS values: working together for patients – those who consistently demonstrate the values of the NHS in supporting their HCSWs to deliver the highest possible patient care.
Nominating Chrissie was Katherine Stevenson, Nursing Workforce Senior Policy Manager, who said Chrissie is a shining example of the NHS values.
Katherine said: “She encourages and empowers her colleagues everyday whilst also sharing best practice and supporting the development and implementation of national programme interventions. She is the very embodiment of HCSW’s exceptionalism.”
Chrissie was on secondment to the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Integrated Care Board (ICB) as a HCSW Workforce Lead for a while.
Her manager at the time Nicky Sinden, Head of Nursing Workforce, says she is a role model for all HCSW’s.
“Chrissie has recently joined the ICB’s People team and what a privilege it has been a to give her this opportunity to share her knowledge and ideas across the system and to raise the profile of HCSW’s and the valuable role they play in caring for our population,” Nicky said. “She has some fantastic ideas that will help to recruit, develop and retain HCSW’s. She is an amazing role model for our HCSW’s, always focused on promoting the important role and how they are key to positive patient experience.”
Chrissie’s colleagues at Portsmouth Hospitals University NHS Trust (PHU), where she currently works, are extremely proud of her achievements and say it’s an honour to work alongside her.
Antony Eneas, Professional Education Lead at PHU, added: “Since joining the Professional Education team at PHU, Chrissie has championed the role of the healthcare support worker, raising their profile and is passionate about increasing the development opportunities available. Chrissie has had many achievements and trailblazed many initiatives within the organisation, which is testament to her tenacity and passion about widening participation and increasing access to educational opportunities.
“One notable achievement of this being, through the development of the ‘Dream Big’ programme. The aim of the programme is to widen access to the Registered Nurse Degree apprenticeships by offering the opportunity to both internal and external candidates. The original concept Chrissie had of the ‘Dream Big’ initiative was original developed back in 2018/19 and continues to run and receive positive feedback. Her passion to provide support and education to this group of apprentices has also been evidenced through her development of the pre-apprenticeship ‘Stepping Stones’ programme. This programme was developed to improve the apprentice’s anatomy and physiology knowledge as well as providing them with study skills prior to starting their nursing journeys on the apprenticeship which has further fundamentally contributed to their success.
“These achievements are only the tip of the iceberg of initiatives and successes that Chrissie has achieved whilst being at PHU. It is a true privilege to be part of her journey and see her tenacity, ideas and passion for developing our support worker workforce now influence the regional Hampshire and Isle of Wight team. We are incredibly proud that Chrissie’s achievements have been recognised nationally through the receipt of a CNO award, a true testament to her devotion and passion for high-quality education and patient care.”
Thank you, Chrissie, for all the hard work you do, especially in your motivation to share knowledge and develop ideas; you constantly demonstrate NHS values and are truly deserving of your award.