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We have been celebrating the achievements of staff hailed as heroes by patients, families and colleagues, with a special annual awards night to honour those who give the very best care.

Nominated throughout the year, those put forward for a Barts Health Heroes award represent the best of the Trust. From more than 565 nominations, the winning teams and individuals were chosen by a select panel of staff, patients and partners. Those awarded truly embody the Trust’s core values such as being welcoming and respectful. 

In addition, Barts Charity awarded four special fundraiser and ambassador awards to staff who have gone the extra mile.

This year, those recognised included a team who have helped hundreds of local people into employment and apprenticeships, and IT staff who worked all hours to ensure hospitals were able to continue providing care during last year's cyber attack. In addition, children's play workers, midwives, receptionists, volunteers, healthcare assistants, domestic staff, surgery teams and PAs were all nominated for their unwavering care.

Alwen Williams, Barts Health NHS Trust Chief Executive, said: “I am very proud to recognise the special contribution made by all nominees to deliver safe and compassionate care. The people of east London depend on us for their healthcare often at the most vulnerable times of their lives - and I know that they are in safe hands. Thank you for your unswerving commitment to our patients and to each other, and congratulations to all our winners and nominees.”

Among those celebrated at Whipps Cross were the team on Syringa ward who won the award for providing equitable care. They team were nominated by a number of people, including Nina Butt who thanked the team for the care given to her late father, Muhammad Rachyal, who was 78.

Nina said: "My father was admitted to Syringa Ward in February 2017, where he subsequently passed away. As a family we can never thank the team enough for all that they did for him."

 

At Newham, the kidney dialysis team were nominated by 61 year-old Lynne Guiste from Beckton, who attends three times a week for dialysis. The team were highly commended after receiving a number of nominations from grateful patients.  

Lynne explained: "I adore the team; they're all so good. They have helped me to keep my kidney disease under control. Where I and the other patients are there so often we get to know each other and the nurse; I say they’re my second family."

Also celebrated was Cheryl Mckenzie, lead nutrition support nurse in the Trust's gastroenterology team. Adriana Pecorari, from Forest Gate, put Cheryl forward in thanks for caring for her twenty-two year old daughter Laura, who has learning disabilities.

Adriana said: "After first coming out to access Laure at our home and referring her to hospital, Cheryl was always in touch over the four days Laura spent in hospital. Cheryl was extremely caring; I felt very reassured. I've never experienced care from anyone so kind and dedicated to their patients."

 

Those celebrated at The Royal London Hospital included the team on the Acute Assessment Unit, who were highly commended by the judges following a nomination from Dianne Darvall in gratitude for caring for her daughter Stephanie, 23, last summer.

Dianne explained: "The team were the most caring and professional people who I have come across. From nurses to support staff, catering and domestic teams; everyone was brilliant. We also learnt more about our daughter's condition in the three days she was in The Royal London than we had in the last 22 years. We cannot thank them enough."

Ian Peters, Barts Health NHS Trust Chairman, said: “The awards are an evening for recognition and celebration of all that is great at Barts Health. Last year was remarkably challenging on many fronts, and yet together and individually we achieved so much for our patients, our teams and Barts Health as a whole.”

Each individual winner receives £500 and teams receive £1000, kindly sponsored by Barts Charity. Even if they don't win or get shortlisted, every nominee receives a certificate honouring their achievement and an invitation to a celebratory lunch hosted by the Chair of Barts Health.