Stewart Ryan received the ‘I made a difference’ award yesterday (Wednesday 21 March) for ensuring our patients received the best possible care during the height of the most recent Covid wave.

Stewart, Clinical Operations Support at Queen’s Hospital was praised for going above and beyond to look after our patients, by making sure they - and the ambulance crews - were given food and drinks while waiting to be brought into the hospital.

The nomination wrote: “Stewart recognised that if the patients had been in the hospital they would have been given something to eat and drink but because they were waiting outside they were not getting anything.

“He worked with Sodexo and asked them to provide a trolley with food and drinks for these patients and the ambulance crews, once they had agreed to provide this he made sure that the food was taken out to the ambulances, he did this over a prolonged period of time whilst the ambulances were waiting.

“Thank you Stewart for thinking about our patients and making a difference to them when you already had a very busy job to do.”

Chief Nurse Kathryn Halford presented Stewart with the award and a complimentary box of chocolates.

Stewart said he was “Shocked” to receive the award adding: “I’m really surprised, it’s left me speechless!”

On working throughout the pandemic, Stewart said: “It’s been a really tough and hard time for everyone - so it’s been nice to get this recognition, but there are so many people involved in looking after patients.

“Our patients will always be our number one priority and I’m just glad I could help out.”