Publish date: 29 February 2024
Northumbria Healthcare anaesthetist receives prestigious Evelyn Baker Award
A popular consultant at a North East NHS trust has won a prestigious national award.
Dr Bruce Gibson, consultant anaesthetist at Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, recently received the prestigious Evelyn Baker Award from the Association of Anaesthetists, after being nominated by colleague Dr Catherine Rafi for his outstanding competence in all areas of anaesthetic practice.
The Evelyn Baker Award was instigated by Dr Margaret Branthwaite in 1998, dedicated to the memory of one of her former patients at the Royal Brompton Hospital. The award is presented to anaesthetists for outstanding competence in all areas of anaesthetic practice including clinical excellence, teaching and training and supporting colleagues. The award recognises the ‘unsung heroes’ of anaesthetic departments.
When nominating Dr Gibson, Dr Rafi proudly described him as “an excellent anaesthetist who constantly provides exceptional patient care.” She went on to explain how “he specialises in vascular access, caring for cancer patients” noting that he “is a shining light to these patients and his services come with a smile and a kind heart.”
Dr Rafi wrote about how he demonstrates characteristics and traits that set him apart from others. “Patients remember his name long after and will ask for him for future interventions. He has been an integral part of the regional anaesthesia team, improving care, patient experience and day case rates over the past 10 years.”
Novice anaesthetists were quoted in the written nomination, describing Dr Gibson as “a consistent source of support and inspiration.
“It is difficult to find someone who can rival his enthusiasm for the job and passion for teaching. He inspires confidence in trainees by providing a safe environment for us to learn and grow. When the job becomes challenging, he is unwaveringly calm and affable.
“In theatre he is a master of providing just the right amount of supervision and advice while letting the trainee just get on with a list. He makes it seem very natural”.
The defining characteristics of clinical excellence are technical proficiency, consistently reliable clinical judgement, and wisdom and skill in communicating with patients, their relatives and colleagues.
According to the Association of Anaesthetists the ability to train and enthuse trainee colleagues is seen as an integral part of communication skill, extending beyond formal teaching or academic presentation. Supporting colleagues and co-workers is a valued part of clinical practice and is recognised by this award.
Dr Rafi said: "Dr Gibson demonstrates an unfailing willingess to support and help, whether a clinical problem or a colleague's childcare emergency. He is universally loved and admired by all. He makes theatres work efficiently and he is a massive part of the theatre team. His patients and colleagues all feel completely at ease in his presence."
The Evelyn Baker Award was presented during the Winter Scientific Meeting (WSM) in January where Dr Gibson received the Evelyn Baker Medal and certificate.