THE care and dedication shown by staff across Hampshire Hospitals has been celebrated.

On Tuesday evening, the Hampshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust’s sixth annual WOW! Awards Gala Ceremony was held.

WOW! Award winners from Basingstoke hospital, Royal Hampshire County Hospital, in Winchester, and Andover War Memorial Hospital were selected to attend a special ceremony at Oakley Hall.

The trust’s overall WOW! winners for 2018 were announced, with awards handed out in 11 different categories.

The special guest for the evening was Holby City actor Guy Henry, while the event was attended by the mayors of Basingstoke and Deane, Test Valley and Winchester as well as representatives from the Rotary clubs of Andover, Basingstoke and Winchester.

Terry Watkins, who works as a sonographer, wowed the audience with an emotional rendition of Lean On Me.

Diana Alves, a biomedical scientist specialising in coagulation, won the Chairman’s Award after showing dedication to help ensure the safety of a patient.

 Despite not being on call, Diana travelled in to the laboratory at Basingstoke hospital in the early hours of the morning and spent three hours carrying out tests that played a vital role in helping doctors to provide the most appropriate treatment for an emergency patient.

 Diana said: “I did not think twice about getting up to help because I knew that we could not wait until the morning to carry out the tests. The consultants needed to begin the treatment as soon as possible and I was pleased to have been

able to make a real difference for that patient.

 “I didn’t expect to win tonight but I am absolutely delighted. People don’t always know about the important work scientists do in hospitals because we are hidden away in the laboratories, so it’s really good to get this recognition.”

 Elsewhere, Vicky Houghton, a community children’s nurse based at Winchester hospital, picked up the Chief Nurse’s Award after being nominated by the parents of a child with complex medical needs who she has been working with for the last 15 years.

The entire team of doctors, nurses and therapists working on Clifton Ward at Winchester hospital picked up the Medical Services Award for their treatment not only of a 92-year-old patient coming to the end of his life, but also his family.

Rebecca Sale, an occupational therapist working on Kingfisher Ward at Andover hospital, won the Rotary Club of Andover Award for the work she did to help a patient to get back to health, encouraging her to push herself while also knowing when she needed to stop.

Other winners included radiographer Franklin Olihe, who comforted an anxious patient by singing with them, Dr Victoria Pereira, who was praised for her work during a busy night shift, and domestic assistant Aniko Kerek, who helps to cheer patients up by talking to them as she works.

Over the course of 2018, the trust received 3,514 WOW! nominations for staff who had made a difference to someone by exceeding expectations or going the extra mile. 

 Staff can be nominated for a WOW! Award by colleagues, patients or visitors throughout the year, with a handful of winners selected by the Trust’s public governors each month.

 Steve Erskine, chair of Hampshire Hospitals, said: “It’s a privilege to be here working in the same organisation as all of you.

 “You are all magnificent, fantastic, brilliant! That is why your patients and colleagues have taken the time to nominate you for these awards and what makes us the organisation that we are.”

Roll of Honour

Chairman’s Award – Diana Alves, biomedical scientist, Basingstoke and North Hampshire Hospital

Runner up – Serina Holdway, healthcare support worker, Nick Jonas Ward, Royal Hampshire County Hospital

Chief Nurse’s Award - Vicky Houghton, community children’s nurse, Royal Hampshire County Hospital

Rotary Club of Basingstoke Deane Award (Team) – Emergency department, Basingstoke and North Hampshire Hospital

Rotary Club of Basingstoke Deane Award (Individual) – Thomas Cromwell, senior charge nurse, emergency department, Basingstoke and North Hampshire Hospital

Rotary Club of Winchester Award (Team) – Intensive care unit, Royal Hampshire County Hospital

Rotary Club of Winchester Award (Individual) – Dr Victoria Pereira, Gynaecology, Royal Hampshire County Hospital

Rotary Club of Andover Award – Rebecca Sale, occupational therapist, Andover War Memorial Hospital

The WOW! Awards – Franklin Olihe, radiographer, Basingstoke and North Hampshire Hospital

Dan Putty Award for Dementia Care – Ward F3, Basingstoke and North Hampshire Hospital

Corporate Services Award – Aniko Kerek, domestic assistant, Basingstoke and North Hampshire Hospital

Family and Clinical Support Services Award – Medical records department, Royal Hampshire County Hospital

Medical Services Award – Clifton Ward, Royal Hampshire County Hospital

Surgical Services Award – General surgery booking team, Royal Hampshire County Hospital