STAFF from hospitals across north Hampshire have been celebrated.

The care provided by nurses, midwives, healthcare assistants and allied health professionals across Hampshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust was celebrated at the annual Director of Nursing Awards.

Staff from across the trust attended the awards ceremony at Oakley Hall, Basingstoke, where they were joined by many of the people who had nominated them.

Hundreds of nominations flooded in from relatives and former patients who had received treatment in the community or at one of the trust’s three hospitals, Andover War Memorial Hospital, Basingstoke and North Hampshire Hospital and Royal Hampshire County Hospital in Winchester.

The Basing Unit team at Basingstoke hospital was one of the teams picked out, as they won the Basingstoke Deane Rotary Team Award. They received the award for their attitude whilst providing care to patients.

Sarah Grosvenor, sister on the Basing Unit, said: “It’s so lovely that the team have been recognised for their hard work and have been given an award. It’s really been an emotional and inspiring evening and to win an award makes it even more special.”

Chief nurse Donna Green hosted the ceremony which was also attended by the mayors of Basingstoke and Deane, the Test Valley, and Winchester City Council as well as the Rotary Clubs of Andover, Basingstoke Deane and Winchester.

The guest speaker was Dr Kate Allatt who spoke about her struggle and her recovery from a severe brainstem stroke.

Speaking at her last Director of Nursing Awards as she retires this year, Donna said: “I’m a very proud chief nurse. It’s amazing to hear all the incredible stories of compassion and care from our midwives, nurses and allied health professionals.

“Tonight is a real combination of sadness and happiness for me as I reflect on my time at Hampshire Hospitals - it’s a real privilege to have been chief nurse here.

“Thank you to the Rotary clubs, and the council of governors, who had the impossible job of choosing the winners. Thank you to all our special guests including the mayors and Dr Kate Allatt for their support, as well as Maggy Wallace and Dr Andrew Bishop for our special awards.

“I also want to thank our nominators for taking the time to recognise and nominate our staff, being nominated for the outstanding care they provide every day is really appreciated and can make the nominee’s day. The nominations are from the people who have taken the time to recognise a member of staff, often at a vulnerable time for patients and their families. I still have the letter someone wrote to the chief executive when I was a student nurse. It means a lot and we consider it to be a real privilege.

“I am immensely proud of everything we’ve achieved together and it gives me great pleasure to hand over to Julie Dawes as the new chief nurse. I’m happy to be handing over a compassionate, caring and courageous team and I know they will make you as proud as they make me.”

Roll of honour

Medical Services

Individual – Eleanor Johnson, Emergency Department, Basingstoke

Team – Isolation Ward Nursing Team, Basingstoke

Surgical Services

Individual – Victoria Hingley, Basing Unit, Basingstoke

Team – St Cross Ward Nursing Team, Winchester

Family and Clinical Support Services

Individual – Fiona Jackson, Maternity, Basingstoke

Team – Geoffrey Hammond Team, Winchester

Allied Health Professional

Chris Smith, Therapy Services, Basingstoke

Andover Rotary

Maternity Centre, Andover

Basingstoke Rotary

Individual – Miriam Jones, Gastroenterology, Basingstoke

Team – Basing Unit Team, Basingstoke

Winchester Rotary

Individual – Nicola Brown, Maternity, Winchester

Team – Short Stay Surgical Unit Team, Winchester

Wallace Award

Nicoleta Balan, Palliative Care, Winchester and Rachel Breach, Emergency Department, Basingstoke

Chief Medical Officer’s Award

Claire Porter, Wykeham Ward, Winchester