The dedication, compassion and skill of junior doctors working across Basingstoke, Andover and Winchester has been celebrated at an awards night.

More than 190 nominations were received from patients and colleagues across Hampshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, which runs the three hospitals, recognising the efforts of the junior doctors.

The awards were a little different this year, with a virtual ceremony taking place to recognise members of the team in 10 categories, including rising stars and patient champions, whilst staff across the NHS continue to go above and beyond to fight Coronavirus.

Yazeed Abed El Khaleq was one of three junior doctors awarded as the medical division rising star, after the challenges of Covid-19 and the way the whole team stepped up meant the division found it impossible to choose just one winner.

Yazeed was recognised for the part he has played in responding to Covid-19, with the nomination explaining how he has “demonstrated outstanding clinical leadership and team working to deliver excellent care”. Yazeed was commended for his commitment, attitude and skill throughout what has a been a very challenging time, and has also been a great support and mentor to his junior colleagues

The young doctor also picked up the Junior Mentor Award for his “exceptional” leadership skills with the respiratory team, where he was described as a “kind, humble and dedicated colleague” who is an “inspiration to his juniors”, providing training and peer support at a crucial time.

Other winners included Mary Chapman, who was awarded the Quality improvement trailblazer award for “revolutionising the availability of clinical and operational policies in the emergency department” and Matthew Rose, another recipient of the medical rising star award, who received an impressive six nominations for his fantastic work at FY1 at the trust’s hospital in Winchester. Matt’s continuous efforts to go above and beyond were highlighted, with his “calm, approachable and reassuring manner” leaving a lasting impact on his colleagues and patients.

Dr Lara Alloway, chief medical officer for Hampshire Hospitals, said: “Our junior doctors are a vital part of our team, and in recent months have really stepped up and risen to the challenges brought about by COVID-19. Throughout it all, they have shown great professionalism, skill and compassion – keeping our patients at the heart of everything they do and being a support for one another.

“Although we weren’t able to celebrate how we had planned, it’s been wonderful to showcase and celebrate some of the best talent the NHS has to offer. Our junior doctors are at such a pivotal moment in their careers, and we can be assured that in north and mid Hampshire we will have great senior doctors in the future.

“It was a difficult job to select the very deserving winners, so I want to say a huge congratulations to them all, and thank you to all of our junior doctors – who are simply brilliant!”

Dr Luke Sammut, one of two chief registrars at HHFT added: “It has been fantastic to read all the nominations and I would like to thank everyone who took the time to recognise the difference our junior doctors have made and nominate them for these awards.”

Roll of honour:

  • The QI Trailblazer – Mary Chapman
  • The Surgical Rising Star – Peter May-Miller
  • The Family and Clinical Support Rising Star – Alyssia Broomfield
  • The Medical Rising Star – Yazeed Abed El Khaleq, Amy Irwin, and Matthew Rose
  • The Winchester Patient Champion, sponsored by Winchester Rotary Club – Shafiq Subratty
  • The Basingstoke Patient Champion, sponsored by Basingstoke and Deane Rotary Club – Jess Walding
  • The Junior Mentor Winner – Yazeed Abed El Khaleq
  • The Senior Mentor Winner – Arun Venkataraju
  • The Multi Disciplinary Team Hero – Chintan Vora
  • The Unsung Hero – Rachel Jennings, Megan Joyce and the Anaesthetic and ICU trainees in Winchester.