THERE were smiles, congratulations and some tears as outstanding nurses were honoured at the Director of Nursing Awards 2013.

Hundreds of people filled a marquee at The Elvetham Hotel, Hartley Wintney, to see individuals and teams of nursing staff win awards for the extraordinary care and compassion they have shown to patients.

At the ceremony, which is now in its eighth year, some patients who nominated winners read out moving tributes to the nurses who have helped them through some incredibly tough times.

There were a record 214 nominations from patients for the awards, from which winners were picked by a panel of judges.

The nominations came from across Basingstoke, Winchester and Andover hospitals, which are run by Hampshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.

Each winning team won £1,000 and each individual winner a night in a Winchester hotel and afternoon tea at Avington Park, Avington, Winchester.

Donna Green, director of nursing at the trust, said: “I know how much it means for patients who have gone through a really vulnerable time to have individuals and teams of people there who make a difference.

“Every year, I am overwhelmed by the wonderful stories of how our nurses, midwives and therapists have touched the lives of patients and their families.

“These awards are a great way to say thank you and to recognise those who go above and beyond the call of duty every day. I am so proud of all our staff and would also like to thank the patients and families who took the time to nominate and share their personal experiences with us.”

She said that getting a thank you from patients could remind nurses that they do make a difference, adding that she still kept a thank-you letter from a patient from when she was a student nurse.

Director of Nursing Awards 2013 Roll of Honour:


Individual nurse/midwife/healthcare assistant award

  • Medical services – Fiona Taylor, Basingstoke and North Hampshire Hospital, Basingstoke
  • Surgical services – Caroline Price, Basingstoke and North Hampshire Hospital, Basingstoke
  • Family and clinical support services – Pip Naish, Royal Hampshire County Hospital, Winchester

Nursing or midwife team award

  • Medical services – E2 nursing team, Basingstoke and North Hampshire Hospital, Basingstoke
  • Surgical services – High Dependency Unit, Basingstoke and North Hampshire Hospital, Basingstoke
  • Family and clinical support services – Gynaecology nursing team, Basingstoke and North Hampshire Hospital, Basingstoke

Individual and team therapists award

  • Becky Seal, Royal Hampshire County Hospital, Wincheste

Maggy Wallace award

  • Fiona Taylor, Basingstoke and North Hampshire Hospital, Basingstoke

The Rotary Club of Andover award

  • Susan Turner, Andover War Memorial Hospital, Andover

The Rotary Club of Basingstoke Deane award

  • High Dependency Unit, Basingstoke and North Hampshire Hospital, Basingstoke

The Rotary Club of Winchester award

  • Freshfield Ward nursing team, Royal Hampshire County Hospital, Winchester

Chief Medical Officer award

  • Stephen Howard, Royal Hampshire County Hospital, Winchester