The dedication, compassion and skill of junior doctors working across Hampshire Hospitals was celebrated during the Trust’s inaugural Junior Doctor Awards. 
Over 120 nominations were received from patients and colleagues across Hampshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, which runs Andover War Memorial Hospitals, Basingstoke and North Hampshire Hospital and Royal Hampshire County Hospital, in Winchester, nominating junior doctors in nine categories including rising stars and patient champions.
Foundation doctor Dr Kim Sheil picked up the award for the Winchester Patient Champion, receiving an amazing five nominations. Kim has impressed staff and patients alike with her kindness, dedication and skill and she was commended for the ways she continually goes above and beyond for patients, as well as supporting other staff within the team.
Kim, who also received an incredible six nominations for the WOW! Award staff recognition programme within her first three months working at the Trust, said: “I really enjoy being able to make a difference for people and I relish the time I can spend getting to know patients, so to have been recognised at the awards is really special.”
The awards, hosted by chief registrar Dr Angus Sutherland, also welcomed special guest, motivational speaker and quadruple amputee Alex Lewis, who joined the celebrations to commend the difference junior doctors can make to their patients’ lives.
Alex was first treated at Royal Hampshire County Hospital in Winchester, where it was discovered he had strep A toxic shock syndrome, septicaemia and necrotising fasciitis. Speaking about his experience of being cared for by junior doctors, he said: “Junior doctors were an incredible part of my experience in hospital. You were the people who I saw all the time, who supported me and kept me happy when I was going through the most difficult time in my life.
“Because of the compassion I saw in Winchester and Salisbury hospitals, NHS staff changed my life immeasurably. You have the opportunity to shape your patients’ lives and you’re all thoroughly deserving of awards this evening.”
Other winners included Dr Kanendran Rajalingam, who was awarded the multi-disciplinary team hero award, and Dr Jieyun Lee, who was recognised in his role as a junior mentor for showing fantastic commitment to educating doctors and medical students. Jieyun was commended for his tireless enthusiasm and ability to support others, all whilst excelling at his job.
Mr Christian Wakefield, consultant surgeon and medical director for surgical services at the Trust, was presented with the final award of the night, the Senior Mentor Award. Christian was nominated on more than one occasion for his unfailing interest in the junior doctors, and was described as an “excellent trainer, supervisor and mentor” who empowers and supports the team.
Speaking on the night, Christian said: “It’s been a fantastic evening celebrating our junior doctors, and we should look to celebrate them every day for the way they tirelessly care for patients. I train and teach because I enjoy working with such an incredible team who impress me every day, so it’s very unexpected to have won an award.”
Chief Medical Officer for Hampshire Hospitals, Dr Andrew Bishop, summed up the night: “It’s been a wonderful evening celebrating some of the best talent the NHS has to offer. Our junior doctors are at such a pivotal moment in their careers, and after tonight I think we can be assured that in north and mid Hampshire we will have great senior doctors in the future. We are in safe hands.”
