Hampshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust staff working across hospitals in Andover, Basingstoke and Winchester have been recognised for their outstanding contributions at the annual Hampshire Hospitals People Awards.
The Hampshire Hospital People Awards, which are funded and supported by Hampshire Hospitals Charity, is the Trust’s annual celebration of the remarkable and inspiring things that colleagues and teams do every day to care for patients and keep its hospitals running.
More than 800 public and staff nominations were submitted this year, celebrating the achievements of staff across 13 categories, including inclusivity, innovation, collaboration, patient care and experience and leadership. All award nominees were invited to celebration tea parties, before a shortlist of finalists were selected and invited to attend a special evening ceremony.
All finalists were recognised throughout the ceremony, with the award-winners, who work across a range of clinical and non-clinical roles, then revealed and presented with their prize.
In addition to the award presentations, this year’s event also featured a very special guest speaker, comedian, actor, writer and presenter, Hugh Dennis. 
Alex Whitfield, Chief Executive for Hampshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, said: “It was amazing to celebrate the fantastic work of so many of our colleagues and teams at this year’s Hampshire Hospitals People Awards.
“The stories of compassion and teamwork shared in the nominations received this year are a testament to our brilliant people, who work incredibly hard every day to support our patients, their loved ones and each other. It was wonderful to take a moment to recognise their contributions and achievements at such a special event. Congratulations to all of our deserving winners, as well as our award finalists and nominees!”
Among the evening’s award winners was Senior Clinical Apprentice Trainer, Claire Esslemont, who took home the Rising Star Award for her excellent work within the Trust’s Apprenticeships Team.
After receiving the award, Esselmont commented: “To be recognised in this way is really rewarding and I didn't expect it at all. I just want everybody to achieve their best that they possibly can and if I can help a little way in that, then I go home feeling really proud that I've done my bit for the NHS.”
The Hampshire Hospitals People Awards are funded by Hampshire Hospitals Charity, who support patients, staff and volunteers at Hampshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. If you would like to get involved or wish to find out more about how you can support, including sponsorship for this year’s events, please visit hampshirehospitalscharity.org or contact HH.Charity@hhft.nhs.uk.
Hampshire Hospitals People Awards winners:
ICARE Award – Corporate: Claire Froggatt, Freedom of Information Officer
ICARE Award – Family and Clinical Support Services: Mortuary Team
ICARE Award – Medicine: Roshan Gurung, Medicine Management Deputy Operations Service Manager
ICARE Award – Surgery: Raina Menezes, Diagnostic Treatment Centre (DTC) Sister
Chief Executive Award Winner: John Pritchard, Management Assistant
Chief Executive Highly Commended: Andy Long, Electrical Operations Officer
Collaboration Award: Rosa Ayling, Senior Paediatric Sister
Inclusivity Award: Staff Network Chairs
Innovation Award: Toby Briant-Evans, Orthopaedic Consultant
Leadership Award: Jacqueline Leahy, Consulting Facilities Operations Service Manager
Lifetime Contribution Award: Andrew Bennett, Kitchen Manager
Patient Care and Experience Award: Clara Haken, Consultant Midwife
Rising Star Award: Claire Esslemont, Senior Clinical Apprenticeship Trainer
WOW of WOW’s Award: Pius Oloyede and Shalini Kumar, Staff Nurses
