NURSES, care assistants and therapists from Winchester have been awarded at this year’s Hampshire Hospitals Director of Nursing Awards.

At a prestigious ceremony held last week (June 9) at the Elvetham Hotel in Hartley Wintney, health care professionals of all areas of medicine were praised for their hard work.

Five people from the Royal Hampshire County Hospital were among the 250 nominations who received an award.

Anthony Letchworth, ward nursing team, was awarded in the Family and Clinical Support Services Division and Special awards were given to Victoria Ward of the Rotary Club of Winchester, the Chief Medical Officer’s Award was given to play therapy assistant Susan Bellows, and the Maggie Wallace Award was presented to Victoria Ward.

Abbi Lascelles, a physiotherapist at RHCH, won the allied health professional award. She was nominated by Peter Roberts, who was treated by Abbi when he was almost unable to walk because of pains in his joints and back.

He said: “I really don’t think I would still be here if Abbi had not been there. She has given me the confidence to walk, to work and to carry on.”

The audience of more than 300 nominees, colleagues, former patients and families heard stories of the staff Hampshire Hospitals Foundation Trust’s three hospitals.

Hampshire Hospitals chief nurse and deputy chief executive, Donna Green, hosted the ceremony which was attended by the Mayor of Winchester, deputy Mayor of Test Valley and Councillor Dan Putty, the former Mayor of Basingstoke and Deane. Ms Green said: “This evening is my favourite part of my job. I am so proud to work for Hampshire Hospitals among so many staff who go above and beyond the call of duty every day for our patients and their families. I would like to thank all the patients and families who took the time to share their experiences with us in their nominations.”