Lynne Cook, our Head of HR was delighted to visit our Cambridge and Peterborough service centre last month to present a GEM Award to the whole team.

Each of our colleagues working at the service centre were nominated by their service centre Manager for displaying two of our core behaviours; Be our Best and One Team.

The team were nominated for their actions following a road traffic accident which closed the road to the service centre one morning. The nomination from Tom Lewis, the service centre manager read

“On the morning of the 13th, there had been a major Road Traffic Accident, and the police had cordoned off access to the one road servicing the NRS depot.

A colleague was the first to attempt to arrive on site. they spoke with the police who confirmed the road would be closed for 2-4 hours.

One of the team members called round members of the management team, and they organised to get messages/calls out to everyone to liaise at a service station or park at the local hospital.

Everyone rallied round and either waited at services or went at parked at the hospital. The team contacted the ambulance service to raise the emergency services barrier that is at one end of the estate, to allow us to get access to the site.

In the meantime, the teams walked from their parked cars/vans and got picking underway. The drivers who had lighter items on their runs happily walked the items from the depot to their vans and got away. Once the barrier was open the entire team all were picking, loading, and unloading with all drivers being away with only an hour delay max from their planned start times.

Not one member of the team complained about waiting being parked up or delayed in their day. I am a very proud service manager today to see my team displaying such profound examples of One Team and Be our Best, to ensure that the service wasn’t compromised.”

Our service centre colleagues were rewarded with a cheque for £1,000 to use for a whole depot event, when times permit and a certificate to display within their reception area and the event was marked with special GEM cupcakes.

Tom Lewis, Service Centre Manager said

“I am extremely proud of my team for going the extra mile. Their dedication and pragmatism ensured that all activities were completed, and with minimal delay. The teamwork displayed was amazing, in addition to the desire to ensure we did not fail the service users. I am very lucky to have such a dedicated team working with me in Cambs and Peterborough, and this award is justification for their efforts.”

Our GEM Awards are presented to colleagues for Going the Extra Mile and displaying our core behaviours. Nominations can be made internally by colleagues, from customer commendations and by prescribers and commissioners from local authorities or the NHS. Winners are decided upon by a panel of stakeholders from across the business.

Keep an eye on our news page for information about future winners.