Inspirational Hampshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (HHFT) staff working across Andover, Basingstoke and Winchester have been recognised at the HHFT People Awards, with this year’s winners announced following a special awards ceremony held on Thursday 13 June.
The HHFT People Awards, which are supported by Hampshire Hospitals Charity, is the Trust’s annual celebration of the truly remarkable and inspiring things that Hampshire Hospitals staff do every day to care for patients and keep its hospitals running, and consistently live the Trust’s values to make the extra-ordinary a normal part of the care and services it provides. 
With nearly 550 public and staff nominations submitted, tea parties took place across the Trust’s three hospital sites in the run up to the event, celebrating all colleagues and teams who had received a nomination. Following a shortlisting process, finalists in each of the nine award categories were shortlisted and invited to attend a summer evening of celebration hosted at Winchester Cathedral.
All finalists were recognised throughout the evening before the nine award winners, who work across a range of clinical and non-clinical roles, were revealed and presented with their prize by a member of the Trust’s executive team.
Alex Whitfield, Chief Executive for Hampshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, said: “It is wonderful to be able to recognise the remarkable work that our colleagues and teams at Hampshire Hospitals do each and every day. This year’s HHFT People Awards ceremony was another fantastic opportunity to celebrate the achievements of our people.
“Everyone who was nominated had demonstrated our Trust values in extraordinary ways and there were so many examples of compassion and care from across our services. Congratulations to all of our deserving winners, as well as all our award finalists and nominees, and a huge thank you to everyone who submitted a People Awards nomination.” 
Among the evening’s winners were the Basingstoke Children’s Community Nursing Team, who took home the CARE Award for the Family Clinical Support Services Division, following their incredible work providing care to children and families across Basingstoke and the surrounding areas.
After receiving the award, a member of the Basingstoke Children’s Community Nursing team commented: “The team work so hard and do a fantastic job working with children in the community on a daily basis. It is great to be recognised within the Trust with this award.”
Alongside the Basingstoke Childrens Community Nurses, Facilities Site Coordinator, Donna McCormack was another hugely popular winner on the night as she received the Collaboration Award for her brilliant work at Andover War Memorial Hospital.
An extract from one of the nominations Donna received read: “Donna works closely with clinical colleagues in outpatients, wards, and the hospice to support their non-clinical needs. Donna welcomes everyone to Andover and takes the time to get to know all the teams. She’s incredibly caring and compassionate and has been instrumental in building a supportive and collaborative working environment at Andover.”
In addition to the award presentations, this year’s HHFT People Awards ceremony also featured inspirational readings from the evening’s guest speaker, inaugural LGBT Poet Laureate, Trudy Howson, who shared poetry on a range of topics including Pride Month and a specially written poem written for the NHS.
HHFT People Awards winners:
- CARE Award – Corporate: Operations Centre Team
- CARE Award – Family & Clinical Support Services: Children’s Community Nurses, Basingstoke
- CARE Award – Medicine: Rebecca Housley - Consultant Nurse at the Virtual Health Hub
- CARE Award – Surgery: Amy Kerr - Lead Nurse, Theatres
- Inclusivity Award: Kizzy Long - Occupational Therapist
- Innovation Award: Volunteer Services
- Collaboration Award: Donna McCormack – Facilities Site Coordinator, Andover
- Patient Care and Experience Award: Rob Strachan - Head of Catering Services
- WOW of WOWs: Sally Hinder, Sian Moyter and Shawford Ward
