The 2019 Hospital Heroes, chosen by members of the public at Peterborough City, Hinchingbrooke and Stamford and Rutland Hospitals, were announced in a special awards ceremony held on Friday evening.
Staff from all three of the main hospital sites at North West Anglia NHS Foundation Trust, came together to celebrate their achievements at The Holiday Inn, Peterborough.
Physio team leader, Amy Fisher was Stamford and Rutland's Hospital Hero 2019. She was nominated by the parent of a patient who was undergoing limb lengthening. Amy inspired the patient to continue with physio and made them feel as if anything was possible. The patient gained an impressive 8.5cm length and had a good rehabilitation.
Consultant Plastic Surgeon, Anthony Barabas was named Hinchingbrooke's Hospital Hero 2019 after he helped a patient regain the use of her arm following a stroke. The patient had been in a coma and after she regained consciousness she was told she would never use her arm again. The patient nominated Anthony because he did not give up on her, he sent her to physiotherapy and performed an operation. Three weeks later, the patient could move her fingers and then her arm. She said that it was the first time in six years she was able to pick up and hug her children with both arms.
Thomas Pollard was a Healthcare Assistance on Cherry Tree Ward when he was nominated. He was highly commended for the support that he provided for a family following the death of a loved one.
Perinatal Midwife, Lesley Edwards was named Peterborough City Hospital's Hero of 2019. Lesley was nominated by a new mother who has been suffering with mental health problems and anxiety over labour due a rare health condition. Lesley supported her nominee throughout her pregnancy, she arranged meeting with other healthcare professionals to ensure that they knew about her health conditions. Lesley attended every consultant appointment and arranged a tour of the neonatal intensive care unit to help conquer her fears. Lesley's nominee highlighted that she felt that Lesley had addressed her mental health illness as well as ensuring she had a positive labour and post-natal experience.
Student, Sindie Sigola was highly commended by a patient who was treated on Amazon ward. Sindie was nominated for the care and compassion she showed to a teenager and their family. The patient said that Sindie inspired them to complete their science GCSE and helped with their mental health recovery.
Caroline Walker, Chief Executive said: "Our people give us reasons to be proud every day and our annual awards event helps us showcase some of their amazing and humbling stories. It was fantastic to be able to bring our staff together to say thank you for the great things they do for our patients.
"I was particularly pleased to honour our Hospital Heroes. This year we received more than 100 nominations from the public for staff across our hospitals. Thank you to everyone who took the time to share their stories. We have seen some truly inspirational examples of staff living our values and caring for patients and their families."
The full list of winners are:
Team of the Year: Radiotherapy Team at PCH (Highly Commended) and Ambulatory Care Unit at PCH (Winner)
Individual of the Year: Rachel Sinclair at Hinchingbrooke (Highly Commended) and Vicente Jaranilla at PCH (Winner)
Unsung Hero of the Year: Tracy Crowley at Hinghingbrooke (Highly Commended) and Edgardo Almiranez at PCH (Winner)
Putting Patients First: Liezl Rossouw and Kate Mitchell at PCH and Julia Blower at PCH and the Breast Team who work cross-site (Winners)
Caring and Compassionate: Sarah Choudhury at PCH and Lynn Reilly and Jane Cooper at PCH (Highly Commended) and David Hopkins at PCH (Winner)
Working Positively Together: Tom Payne, Karen Peat and Michael Lyons at PCH, and Leanne Shaw and Gemma Thomson at PCH (Highly Commended) and Fast Track Prostate Service working cross-site (Winners)
Actively Respectful: Tausif Khan who works cross-site (Highly Commended) and Anticoagulation Specialist Nurse Team at Hinchingbrooke (Winner)
Improve and Develop: Helen Hutchings who works cross-site and Simon Howard, who also works cross-site (Highly Commended) and Respiratory Investigations Team at Hinchingbrooke (Winner)
Hospital Hero for Peterborough: Sindie Sigola (Highly Commended) and Lesley Edwards (Winner)
Hospital Hero for Hinchingbrooke: Thomas Pollard (Highly Commended) and Anthony Barabas (Winner)
Hospital Hero for Stamford: Amy Fisher (Winner)
Outstanding Achievement Recognition Award: Andy Mills and Alec Dearden (Winners)
CREWS: Cardiac Unit at PCH, Maternity Inpatients at PCH and Amazon ward at PCH (Winners).
The awards were held at the Holiday Inn Peterborough West on Friday 4 October and were hosted by Dr Suzy Lishman CBE. The event was sponsored by some of the Trust's suppliers - Multiplex, Medirest, Progress Health, Mitie, System C, GRAHAM Construction, Althea, Checkmate, Kier and Vivup.
