The hard-working heroes who keep the NHS running – often in unsung ways – are being recognised in the second annual Health Heroes awards, organised by Skills for Health and sponsored by Health Education England.
After a successful debut in 2016, this year the awards include three new categories: integrated team of the year, workforce planning team of the year and apprentice of the year, alongside the established clinical and operational services support worker of the year awards.
UNISON is once more sponsoring one of the awards and head of health Sara Gorton commented: “Every day behind the scenes in the NHS, there are entire teams of healthcare support staff going above and beyond to ensure that patients are getting the best possible care, despite the many constraints they are forced to operate under.
“The quality of the nominations received and the deserving regional winners announced are a true tribute to the wider NHS, which often goes unnoticed.
“Health workers work as a team to deliver the best care, and they need to be recognised, valued and rewarded as just that.
After more than 950 nominations, a total of 33 finalists and regional winners have been revealed across the five categories.
Now the public, including can vote for the clinical and operational services support worker of the year from among the regional winners, as well as choosing the bronze, silver and gold apprentice of the year.
The finalists are:
Operational services worker of the year
Finalists
Anthea Lee Allen, team secretary, South London and Maudsley Hospital
Keith Arries, maintenance worker, The Grange nursing home, Northumberland
Danii Clark, Equality and human rights assistant, East Sussex Healthcare NHS trust
Matthew Glasgow, general secretary, Warren children’s centre, Lisburn
Melanie Ince, EMIS systems manager, North Manchester General Hospital
Leanne Mathers, placement co-ordinator Beechwood College, Penarth
Marie MacIver, medical secretary, Queen Elizabeth University Hospital, Glasgow
Jackie Pearson, reception supervisor, Adelaide Medical Centre, Hampshire
Gwenda Porter-Harris, assistant telecoms manager, Bedford Hospital
Julie Skeemer, domestic assistant, Leiceter Royal Infirmary
Paul Tobin, general porter, St James Hospital, Leeds
Jess Toon, activities co-ordinator, Richmond Bede Village
Clinical support worker of the year
Finalists
Seamus Begley, exercise led for the professional diabetes team, Western health and social care trust, Derry
Donna Bostock, CERT engagement worker, Salford
Steph Buswell, social worker, Isebrook Hospital, Wellingborough
John Clifford, physiotherapy technical instructor, Neath Port Talbot Hospital
Steve Dearsley, community support services supervisor, Headway Devon,
Gerri Fox, senior rehabilitation assistant, St Nicholas Hospice, Suffolk
Chris Hanilton, Healthcare assistant, Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Kings Lynn
Ryan Lillie, community support worker, St Michael’s Hospital, Warwick
Helen Roberts, therapy support worker, Lynfield Mount Hospital,, Bradford
Parinda Vara, support worker, Croydon recovery and rehabilitation tem
Yvon Welch, healthcare assistant, Arran War Memorial Hospital
Cheryl young, deaf clinical support assistant, Walkergate Park, Newcastle
Apprentice of the year
Finalists
Omprakash Beniwal, apprentice healthcare assistant in chemotherapy, Barnet Hospital, London
Andrew Gunn, apprentice business support executive in marketing, The Edinburgh Cllinic
Aaron Myall, apprentice health care assistant in sexual health, Homerton Hospital, London