We’ve celebrated the hard work and dedication of our staff at two special events this week.

On Monday and Tuesday (10 and 11 December) we held our Long Service and PRIDE Awards ceremonies.

The annual awards recognise long service of our staff, for 20, 30 and 40 years, as well awarding those who have gone above and beyond in their role, in categories including the Future NHS Award and the Unsung Hero Award.

Our nurse Caroline Moore was the winner of the Lifetime Achievement Award, after a career at our Trust spanning 27 years. The 56-year-old, now a director of nursing, has spent her entire career as a nurse and was overwhelmed to have been nominated for the award by her own senior nursing team.

She said: “I was chuffed to be nominated and I didn’t find out who had put me forward until afterwards. When I found out it was my own team I felt incredibly proud.

“I love what I do and I come in to try and do a good job, as we all should. I was flattered and delighted to win, however, there are many others who deserve it too, who are committed to our Trust.”

Our stroke consultant Devesh Sinha and his team won the Future NHS Award in recognition for their innovative work to enable our stroke patients to leave hospital earlier. The Early Discharge for Stroke team supports patients after they have been discharged to ensure they, and their loved ones, receive the same level of emotional and physical support as they would have been given if they were still in our hospital.

Long Service Award winners had an amazing collective length of service of 3,390 years! Over 100 colleagues collected awards who have worked with us for more than 20 years, 39 for over 30 years and there were four dedicated workers who have been at our Trust for 40 years.

Pictured is Lifetime Achievement Award winner Caroline Moore with her award