An elderly care team has been recognised for going the extra mile to improve patient care for the second year running after receiving an award founded to ensure the legacy of a former patient.

Ward 11 at Good Hope, part of Heart of England NHS Foundation Trust, was this year’s recipient of the Jean Robinson Award which is judged by Jean’s family who have been working with the hospital to improve standards in elderly care since her death in 2009.

Jean’s daughters Di Collins and Jan Gill presented the award to ward manager Gareth Shaw and his team at a special presentation and spoke about how the award first started and why Ward 11 stood out as this year’s winner.

Di, from Tamworth, said: “After my mum died I got together with staff on the elderly care wards and have worked with them over the last five years to give a relatives point of view on how things can be improved. I come a few times a year to meet with the teams and find out about the changes that have been made and to see them in action.

“We have seen the great improvements that have been made. The award has been a way both to have a legacy for mum and to push the wards to keep making progress. It was a difficult decision as Ward 9 and 11 really mirror each other but Ward 11 just pipped it for me when I saw first-hand the great care being given to patients when I came to visit.”

Her sister Jan, who travels up from her home in Weston-super-Mare each year to present the award, said: “It was such a hard time when our mum died but we did not want her to be forgotten and for lessons not to be learned. That is why we suggested the award as it gives staff an extra incentive and something to work towards every year.

“The staff have been amazing over the last five years and it has been nice for us to see the changes being implemented and sustained – that’s the most important thing. Staff move on and there are new people coming in but we want to keep going with this legacy. I think it’s marvellous that the hospital has worked with us and people are now benefitting from it.”

It is an exciting time for elderly care at Good Hope with a number of developments in progress including the introduction of open visiting on the wards which has already had a positive impact.

Donna Woodings, Matron for Elderly Care at Good Hope, said: “We have come a long way in a few years, particularly in the care of patients with dementia. I must also praise the volunteers at Good Hope who have been excellent and do such great work with the patients.

“We have also just implemented the Trust’s policy of open visiting which has been very positive, particularly for patients with dementia, as just having someone familiar there with them can be of huge benefit.

“It has been a tough winter for everyone but all the wards have worked extremely hard in what can be challenging circumstances. Well done to Ward 11 and to Gareth who leads by example and is a good role model for his team.”

Ward manager Gareth Shaw said that winning the award was recognition of the hard work that the team has done over the last two years that they have now won the award.

He said: “We have seen a massive reduction in falls, pressure sores and written complaints, which is proof we are moving in the right direction. Having open visiting has also had a really positive impact as visitors can come when they want and partake and facilitate in the care of their loved ones.

“Working with Di and listening to her experience with her mother has fundamentally changed the way we work and having that constant feedback and a relatives viewpoint can only be of benefit.”