Still time to nominate for hospitals' awards

Nominations are pouring in for the annual awards at Western Sussex Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, which runs St Richard’s Hospital in Chichester, Worthing Hospital and Southlands Hospital, Shoreham.

Designed to recognise those who make an exceptional contribution to patient care, the number of nominations received from members of the public, patients and staff for this year’s Patient First STAR Awards has already exceeded the previous record of 300.

There are ten different prize categories to choose from, including the Patient’s Friend Award, the Compassionate Care Award and the Hospital Hero. Nominations are welcome, and can be made quickly and easily online, at www.westernsussexhospitals.nhs.uk/Awards

Trust chief executive, Marianne Griffiths said: “I am so proud to work with such wonderful colleagues at Western Sussex, who with passion and vigour do their best to put our patients first, every day. Following another record year for the trust, in which we cared for more people than ever before, I know how many members of staff deserve extra recognition. We make sure that every single nominee receives an uplifting letter which highlights why they have been put forward and so I would urge anyone who may wish to say thank you to an individual or team working in our hospitals to make a nomination before Sunday.”

Last year, winners included the domestics team, whose cleaning standards put Western Sussex Hospitals in the top four per cent of acute trusts in the country.

The Compassionate Care Award went to Harvey’s Gang, a project started by biomedical scientists at the trust, who invite young cancer patients into their laboratories which is now taking root in hospitals across the country and around the world.

And the new Emergency Floor at Worthing Hospital – one of only four Future Hospital Development sites accredited by the Royal College of Physicians – won the Innovator of the Year award for the team’s approach to meeting the needs of our changing and ageing population.

Nominations can be made until Sunday – log on to www.westernsussexhospitals.nhs.uk/Awards