NHS workers who have gone above and beyond during an unprecedented year have been honoured at a hospital's annual staff awards.

More than 550 staff and teams at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in King's Lynn were nominated for 13 categories including a special QEH 40 hero award to mark the hospital's anniversary.

The 2020 winners were:

  • We Care Award – Katie Ball, staff nurse, Tilney Ward
  • We Act Award – Dr Ee Lim, FY1, Care for the Elderly
  • We Listen Award – Julia Denyer, sister, Emergency Department
  • Patient Safety Champion Award – Helen Smith, sister, Endoscopy
  • Clinical Team of the Year Award – Tilney Ward
  • Non-Clinical Team of the Year Award – Waste Team
  • Volunteer of the Year Award – Jack McAllister, front of house
  • Leader of the Year Award – Pamela Chapman, matron, Emergency Department
  • Growing Our Own Award – Alice Cawte, apprentice, Women and Children’s
  • Behind the Scenes Award – Stewart Nimmo, catering manager
  • Living Our Values Outstanding Contribution Award – Karon Strong, matron, Division of Medicine
  • Chairman’s Award for Excellence in Research and Innovation – Simina Stefanescu, consultant, Dermatology
  • QEH 40 Hero Award - Richard Brighty, porter

Eastern Daily Press: Katie Ball, a staff nurse on Tilney Ward, who won the We Care Award at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital's annual honours for staffKatie Ball, a staff nurse on Tilney Ward, who won the We Care Award at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital's annual honours for staff (Image: QEH)

Coronavirus meant the awards ceremony had to be a virtual one. Hospital trust chairman Prof Steve Barnett said: “We received an incredible number of nominations this year and it’s really humbling to read about all of the hard work that our teams are putting in across the trust to deliver the best possible care for our patients and their families.

"The virtual event actually allowed our staff, their friends, family and the general public to join us in recognising the fabulous achievement of these colleagues and teams.”

Eastern Daily Press: Dr Ee Lim, who works in elderly care at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital and won the We Act category of its annual awardsDr Ee Lim, who works in elderly care at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital and won the We Act category of its annual awards (Image: QEH)

Hospital chief executive Caroline Shaw said: “We would like to say a huge congratulations to our winners, to all of our amazing short-listers and to the 550 staff, teams and volunteers who were nominated by patients, their families and colleagues for all the incredible work they’ve been putting in across the year.

“It’s safe to say we never expected to have a year like this, but every single member of Team QEH more than rose to the challenge and did all they could to provide an excellent service to our patients and their families, with many staff taking on extra work or new roles to support their colleagues as we have responded to Covid-19."

Eastern Daily Press: Julia Denyer, a sister on the emergency department, who won the We Listen AwardJulia Denyer, a sister on the emergency department, who won the We Listen Award (Image: QEH)

Eastern Daily Press: Helen Smith, sister in endoscopy, who won the Patient Safety Champion AwardHelen Smith, sister in endoscopy, who won the Patient Safety Champion Award (Image: QEH)

Eastern Daily Press: The waste team, who won the Non-Clinical Team of the Year AwardThe waste team, who won the Non-Clinical Team of the Year Award (Image: QEH)

Eastern Daily Press: Jack McAllister, front of house, who won the Volunteer of the Year AwardJack McAllister, front of house, who won the Volunteer of the Year Award (Image: QEH)

Eastern Daily Press: Pamela Chapman, matron on the Emergency Department, who won the Leader of the Year AwardPamela Chapman, matron on the Emergency Department, who won the Leader of the Year Award (Image: QEH)

Eastern Daily Press: Alice Cawte, apprentice in the Women and Children’s department, who won the Growing Our Own AwardAlice Cawte, apprentice in the Women and Children’s department, who won the Growing Our Own Award (Image: QEH)

Eastern Daily Press: Catering manager Stewart Nimmo won the Behind the Scenes AwardCatering manager Stewart Nimmo won the Behind the Scenes Award (Image: QEH)

Eastern Daily Press: Karon Strong, matron in the Division of Medicine, who won the Living Our Values Outstanding Contribution AwardKaron Strong, matron in the Division of Medicine, who won the Living Our Values Outstanding Contribution Award (Image: QEH)

Eastern Daily Press: Consultant dermatologist Simina Stefanescu, who won the Chairman’s Award for Excellence in Research and InnovationConsultant dermatologist Simina Stefanescu, who won the Chairman’s Award for Excellence in Research and Innovation (Image: QEH)