THE compassion, dedication and care shown by staff across Hampshire Hospitals was celebrated during the trust’s annual WOW! Awards Gala ceremony.
Almost 300 staff from Basingstoke and North Hampshire Hospital, Royal Hampshire County Hospital, in Winchester, and Andover War Memorial Hospital attended a glittering ceremony at Holiday Inn Winchester last night (Tuesday 7 February).
The event saw the overall WOW! winners for the year announced, with awards handed out in nine different categories.
There were two winners of main award of the evening, The Chairman’s Award, with the judges unable to separate Nick Maich and Hazel Horsnell, who both work at Winchester hospital.
Midwife Hazel was nominated after ensuring that an anxious patient was able to get the treatment she needed, arranging for her husband and newborn baby to stay on the ward with her.
Nick, the Orthopaedic and Surgical Site Lead, received his award after going the extra mile to help an elderly couple.
The couple had both been admitted, but they were unable to be placed on the same ward, causing a great deal of anxiety. Nick acted as a messenger between the two, passing on a number of notes, including one from the husband which simply said “I love you”.
When I visited the husband, I asked if there was anything I could do,” Nick said. “He just said that he would like me to go and see his wife, check she was alright, reassure her that he was okay and pass on a message of love.
I went back and forth a couple of times passing on messages. It felt like a small thing to do at the time, but when I thought about it afterwards, I got quite choked up.
I just wanted to put their minds at ease and it was really nice to hear that they both did well afterwards. It was really nice to make a difference to them at what was a difficult time, but I certainly didn’t come here thinking that I might win this award, because there are so many people who have done fantastic things.
It was also a good night for the Emergency Department at Winchester hospital. They claimed two prizes, the Rotary Club of Winchester team award and the Medical Services Award, which they shared with their colleagues at Basingstoke hospital.
Other winners from Royal Hampshire County Hospital included Healthcare Assistant Sasha Duncan and Foundation Doctor Megan Woodrow, who were named joint winners of the Dan Putty Award for Dementia Care, Consultant Anaesthetist Dr Arun Venkataraju, who won the Rotary Club of Winchester individual award, and Laundry Co-ordinator Julie Higgins, who won the Corporate Services Award.
Last year, the trust received 2,716 WOW! nominations for staff who had made a difference to someone by exceeding expectations or going the extra mile.
Staff can be nominated for a WOW! Award by colleagues, patients or visitors throughout the year, with a handful of winners selected by the trust’s public governors each month.
Elizabeth Padmore, Chairman of Hampshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, said:
I know many of you here tonight consider what you do to be all in a day’s work and are modest about your achievements – but I encourage you to be very proud of your contribution. By doing what you do, you ensure that our patients receive the best possible clinical care and have an excellent experience and that our staff feel encouraged and want to do their best.
Guest speaker for the evening was Alex Lewis, who lost both of his arms, both of his legs and part of his face after developing sepsis. He spoke warmly about the care he received at Royal Hampshire County Hospital and inspired the audience with his determination to return to as near normal life as possible.
Anna O’Brien from Hospital Radio Winchester compered the evening, which was attended by special guests the Mayor of Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council, the Mayor of Test Valley and the Mayor of Winchester as well as representatives from the Rotary clubs of Andover, Basingstoke and Winchester.
Roll of Honour:
Chairman’s Award (joint winners) – Nick Maich, Orthopaedic and Surgical Site Lead, RHCH; Hazel Horsnell, Midwife, RHCH
Runners-up – Rebecca Murphy, Specialist Dietitian, BNHH; Dean Wilson, Ward Clerk, E2, BNHH
Dan Putty Award for Dementia Care (joint winners) – Dr Megan Woodrow, Foundation Doctor, RHCH; Sasha Duncan, Healthcare Assistant, Victoria Ward, RHCH
Rotary Club of Basingstoke Deane Award (Team) – Dr Priya Ilangovan and the G2 Team, BNHH
Rotary Club of Basingstoke Deane Award (Individual) – Dr Jamie Fryer, Foundation Doctor, Emergency Department, BNHH
Rotary Club of Winchester Award (Team) – Emergency Department, RHCH
Rotary Club of Winchester Award (Individual) – Dr Arun Venkataraju, Consultant Anaesthetist, RHCH
Rotary Club of Andover Award – Emily Young, Community Midwife, AWMH
Corporate Services Award – Julie Higgins, Laundry Co-ordinator, RHCH
Family and Clinical Support Services Award – Dr Priya Ilangovan, Consultant Paediatrician, G2, BNHH
Medical Services Award – Emergency Department – both BNHH and RHCH
Surgical Services Award – Kemp Welch Ward
Photo: The winning individuals and teams celebrate with Alex Lewis and their trophies
Credit: Photos by Sarah Gaunt Photography 07931900834