A night full of glitz and glamour recognised the contributions of NHS staff working at the region's busiest hospital.
The Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital (NNUH) staff awards, held at Open on Friday, saw hundreds of hardworking employees turn out for a night of celebration.
Hosted by ITV's Jonathan Wills, the evening began by presenting long service awards to those who had worked for the NHS for 25 or 40 years.
One award winner said she had met a fellow recipient at school when they were 11, and they've worked together for 41 years.
Those who were recognised for 40 years of service were: Daphne Beckett, medical secretary; Christine Benjafield, staff nurse; Peter Coe, EPA network microbiology manager; Sylvia Cooper, receptionist; Sheila Crisp, staff midwife; Laura Crowe, sister ENT outpatients; Jennifer Dunne, co-ordinator; Linda Faherty, assistant catering manager, Serco; Kathleen Hate, registered nurse rheumatology.
There were also specific awards in a number of categories. The winners were:
• Serco award - Simon Cockshaw, post room porter
Colleagues who nominated him said: 'Simon is always cheerful, goes out of his way to help staff and is wonderful when engaging with patients and visitors.'
• Apprenticeship award - Rhiannon Forder, who works in the emergency assessment unit for surgery, and Brogan Henry, from the delivery suite
Of Rhiannon, colleagues said she had shown 'exceptional work ethic and drive to learn and achieve'. Brogan 'greets everyone with a smile and goes out of her way to support people at a very exciting but emotional time for their life'.
• Team of the year - workplace health and wellbeing
This team 'went above and beyond' to ensure staff were able to get their flu vaccines, including working early mornings, evenings and weekends.
• Ward of the year - Edgefield ward
It was recognised the ward had 'undergone immense change and the team has worked tirelessly to continually improve its standard of care'. And a balance of skills had been achieved with new members of staff being taken on.
• Employee of the year - Joanne Thomas, clinical operations manager, radiotherapy
Of Joanne, it was said she had 'shown dedication and motivation beyond what was required for any manager. Under the most pressurised situation, she will remain calm and diplomatic, handling each situation appropriately and efficiently'.
• Unsung hero award (non-clinical) - Helen Dove, locum co-ordinator
Helen has been 'massively influential' in helping the trust reduce their medical agency spend, which is said to have had a massive impact when dealing with financial pressures.
• Unsung hero award (clinical) - Debbie Wright, discharge co-ordinator
Debbie was described by her team as 'indispensable'. They said: 'She is extremely knowledgeable and is able to explain even the most complex situations with patience and empathy.'
• Volunteer of the year - Dave Massey and Paul Arnold
Paul has been a dedicated volunteer of Guist Ward for nearly two decades, while Dave supports the emergency department co-ordinator.
• Leadership award - Anita Bayes, sister, oral health
Of Anita, it was said she 'delivers outstanding patient care and is approachable, flexible and dynamic'.
• Research award - clinical research and trials unit and orthopaedic clinical research team
The clinical research and trials unit were said to be 'at the forefront of new medical research', while the orthopaedic clinical research team was 'dedicated in providing patients with the opportunity of participating in research studies and access to novel treatments'.
• Clinical teacher of the year - Prof Richard Ball, consultant in histopathology
Trainees and students said: 'When doing microscopy with Prof Ball, he is clear and teaches in a way that allows you to find answers and work things through yourself, without feeling stupid.'
• Patient choice award, most outstanding individual - Katherine Duffield, diabetes specialist nurse
Katherine was described as 'the most caring and approachable person'.
• Patient choice award, team of the year - Cley gynae ward
A patient said: 'I was in a bed of Cley Ward in January this year after a massive operation, resulting in a stoma bag which I hated. All the staff were wonderful but I would mention Debs and Amy on nights and all day staff who would help me with my bag.'
• Edith Cavell awards - Anna Ramm, junior ward sister on Cley ward and Elizabeth Tyms, healthcare assistant on the acute medical unit
Of Anna, it was said she 'creates a positive feeling on the ward - she gives a sense of being able to overcome any challenges the day may bring'.
Elizabeth 'always cares about doing best for the patient, helping them with all their needs'.
• Outstanding contribution to the health system - the integrated discharge team
It was said this team 'makes a difference to literally hundreds of patients every week by supporting and accelerating discharge home'.
• Lifetime achievement awards - Peter Coe, EPA network microbiology manager, Chris Parfitt, matron, respiratory medicine, and John Skrypniuk, consultant clinical scientist, nuclear medicine
Peter has just retired from the trust after 40 years of service at NNUH and the Public Health Laboratory Service. He first joined the trust back in 1976. He was said to have 'patience, tact and diplomacy'.
Chris has been a respiratory nurse for 33 years. It was said: 'She has always been a strong advocate for her patients, putting their experience above all else and striving to improve their pathway.'
John's career in the NHs started in 1982 and he has worked at NNUH for 25 years. It was said he has 'created a dynamic state of the art department which prides itself on its cutting edge technology'.
The awards were sponsored by Serco which provides a range of services at the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital, including catering and cleaning. The Patient Choice Awards were backed by the Eastern Daily Press.
Chairman John Fry said: 'It's such a pleasure to be able to recognise those employees who patients and colleagues feel have gone above and beyond the call of duty.
'It is also important to recognise those who dedicate their working lives, some of them for 40 years, to our hospitals. The response to the awards was overwhelming with over 700 entries from all staff groups with many also from patients with heart-warming stories to tell. This made it really hard to pick out the finalists and winners.'
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