Guernsey Bailiwick Health and Social Care workers are again being encouraged to bring forward their ideas to enhance local health and social care provision with the return of the Insurance Corporation Health & Social Care Bursary.
With the annual event unable to go ahead last year due to COVID pressures, the Insurance Corporation have announced that they will bring the bursary back in 2021, the 30th anniversary of its inception.
Staff behind the proposals that are considered to have the most benefit to the island will win £2,500 as the top prize and £1,000 as the runner up prize to further their ideas.
From tackling alcohol abuse in 1991, to reminiscence therapy for patients with cognitive impairment in 2019, the Bursary has been awarded to a wide range of applicants with innovative ideas that all had local care at their core. These have also included diabetes awareness, eating disorder research, improving post-treatment care for cancer patients and educational initiatives for parents of children in the health and social care system.
Managing Director of Insurance Corporation Mark Marshall said: ‘For 30 years we have been astounded and amazed at the quality and diversity of the projects put forward for the bursary.” “There is so much knowledge and talent within HSC, it is really exciting to see what people on the frontline come up with. There is no limit or restriction to what can be suggested, and that’s what makes the application process so exciting, but the judging section extremely challenging.”
The top prize of £2,500 in 2019 went to Deborah Harris, Moira Norman and Olwen Bain-Brehaut for their reminiscence therapy proposal. It was based on growing evidence that digital reminiscence therapy could be used as a tool to improve the experience of patients in hospital and other care settings through generating interest, curiosity and conversation, and improving rapport-building, communication and engagement.
HSC Committee President, Deputy Al Brouard, said the Insurance Corporation’s continued support was hugely valued by all across HSC.
‘We are grateful for the many years commitment that Insurance Corporation has given to supporting HSC. Its bursary not only helps shine a light on the invaluable role played by all of our teams, it also helps encourage them to look beyond the day to day to explore and innovate new ways to improve our services. It is a great means of showcasing all the talent and potential across HSC.’
Submissions can be made from 31 August until the deadline on 4 October. The application form can be downloaded here. A judging panel will meet on 2 November where shortlisted entrants will be expected to make a short presentation about their application. A presentation will take place on 17 November.
