NHS workers have been recognised for the work they do across a community – after patients, families and fellow health workers put forward their heroes at a health group’s first awards event.
University Hospitals Tees held its first Caring Better Together Awards this week, celebrating staff from across its hospitals and community settings across the Tees Valley and North Yorkshire.
This was after patients, members of the public and staff were encouraged to share their stories and thank individuals and teams.
All shortlisted staff, along with the people who nominated them, were invited to an event at the Digital Life centre at Teesside University this week.
The event was opened with a performance by the Tees Music Alliance Guitar Choir before being officially started by Jonathan Ferguson, a surgeon and the organisation’s clinical lead for its lung cancer screening programme.
This was followed by the presentation of awards to runners up and winners in each of the 15 categories.
It included special awards for Anna Barnard, consultant plastic surgeon, who was recognised for being an inspirational female clinical leader and to consultant therapist Kirsty Jones who was honoured for her work “breaking through barriers paving the way for a workforce of the future that will mean better opportunities staff and experience for patients”.
Speaking at the event Stacey Hunter, chief executive, said: “A huge thank you to each and every one of you for everything you have done over the last year.
“Whether you have been nominated or not, we simply could not do what we do without the people in our teams. This is a heartfelt thank you from all of us.
“We are incredibly grateful to have you with us, as your support enables us to continue delivering our services.
“We know that the roles you carry out often require you to go above and beyond, working longer than we should because we are committed to doing all we can for our patients.
“That’s a sacrifice not only for you but for your families too, so this is a thank you to everyone involved, we truly appreciate everyone involved.”
Professor Derek Bell, chair of University Hospitals Tees, added:
“Events like this are so important to celebrate all of you in the many different roles you are carrying out for our patients, across our clinical, support and volunteering areas.
“It’s important we take this time to appreciate what all of you are doing for the people we serve across our communities.”
The event was supported by local companies Driver Project Services and Geoffrey Robinson, along with the North east and North Cumbria Integrated Care Board and Teesside University.
Awards – the winners and runners up
Clinical excellence award
- Runner up – Chris Wells, consultant gastroenterologist
- Runner up – Lindsey Sorlie, foot and ankle specialist practitioner at The James Cook University Hospital
Winner – COPD team, South Tees Hospitals
Leadership and culture award
- Runner up: Senior therapeutic care support worker team at The James Cook University Hospital
- Winner – Aethele Khunda, consultant gynaecologist and clinical director of gynaecology services
Compassion and respect
- Runner up – Dr Chidambara Harikumar, consultant neonatologist and paediatrician at North Tees and Hartlepool
- Winner: Shiva Sathanandam, consultant in acute medicine, The James Cook University Hospital
Patient choice award
- Runner up – Peter Craggy, senior audiologist, South Tees
- Winner – Ward 27, The James Cook University Hospital
Behind the scenes award
- Runner up – UHT events, conferences and commercial team
- Winner – Dawn Jones, clinical care coordinator, University Hospital of North Tees
Lifetime achievement award
- Runner up – Karen Mackenzie, community matron, University Hospital of North Tees
- Winner – Paul Ballard, consultant gynaecologist, The James Cook University Hospital
Rising star
- Runner up – Angela Chapman, trainee clinical support worker – University Hospital of North Tees
- Winner – Laura Pierre, district nursing sister, South Tees Hospitals
Heart and soul of UHT
- Runner up – Stacey Beckett, outpatient co-ordinator, The James Cook University Hospital
- Winner – Bernadette Millward, specialised therapy assistant (physiotherapy)
Team of the year
- Runner up – breast unit, University Hospital of North Tees
- Winner – alcohol care and substance team, University Hospital of North Tees
Innovation and research award
- Runner up- Kathryn Langman, senior departmental physiotherapist, South Tees Hospitals
- Winner – Consultant neonatologist, Charlotte Ashton and clinical technologist Tony Alton at The James Cook University Hospital
Service transformation award
- Runner up – ambulatory pleural clinic respiratory department, The James Cook University Hospital
- Winner – Hambleton and Richmondshire urgent community response team
Stronger together award
- Runner up Joanne Mulholland and the North East and North Cumbria Paediatric Critical Care and Surgery in Children Operational Delivery Network
- Winner – Hartlepool specialist stop smoking service
Volunteer
- Runner up – Elaine Ashwell, University Hospital of North Tees
- Runner up – Janet Gordon, The James Cook University Hospital
- Winner – Carol Grainger, University Hospital of North Tees
Chief executive award
- Winner – Kirsty Jones, consultant therapist
Inspirational clinical leader
- Winner – Anna Barnard, consultant plastic surgeon