West Herts hospitals trust holds Star of Herts awards in Watford

Some 600 staff from Watford General, Hemel Hempstead and St Albans City hospitals were joined by guests and sponsors for the trust’s Stars of Herts Awards at the Palace Theatre on Saturday.

Trust chairman Phil Townsend and chief executive Matthew Coats presented awards across 14 categories after almost 500 nominations were submitted by staff keen to shine a spotlight on the work of their colleagues.

The evening began on an emotional note for Mr Townsend, who was presented with his own Star of Herts by the chief executive at what was “likely” to be his final awards as his tenure as chairman is coming to an end.

Some of the Stars of Herts celebrate (Image: West Herts NHS Trust)

“Phil’s been a fantastic chairman, said Mr Coats. “He’s led the board through thick and thin. He’s supported people across the trust, he’s just done a brilliant job over the last 12 years.”

Looking back on his tenure, the chief executive described Mr Townsend as the “driving force and inspiration behind some of the big things we’ve done”, such as in the field of surgical robotics.

“You can’t quite see the influence he has but it’s there all the time and he’s made a really big difference over those years,” said Mr Coats. “It’s not just what he’s done, it’s the way that he’s done it and loads of people say to me – and I can see it myself – he really cares about the trust. He really cares about you, he really cares about the patients, he really cares about West Herts.”

Trust chairman Phil Townsend speaking alongside chief executive Matthew Coats (Image: West Herts NHS Trust)

Mr Townsend had opened the evening by reflecting on some of the trust’s achievements.

“I’m really proud we are one of the top performing trusts in the region, if not the country…people in our community get served quicker,” he said. “We’ve done fantastically well in A&E. We’ve jumped 100 places nationally into the top ten in the country.

“Our virtual hospital is expanding, adding new pathways and has saved 4,500 bed days. We’ve created one of the fastest growing centres of excellence for robotics and that attracts people from all over the world. Our non-clinical team, often forgotten, have done a fantastic job keeping the hospital running.

“When it comes to our staff it’s easy for me to say you’re all brilliant – because you are – but there’s no shortage of experts who agree. We’ve included in that six nominations for the Nursing Times awards – pretty impressive.

“It’s only possible because we have wonderful and professional staff and that’s across all departments. You all do an amazing job and tonight is our way of recognising that.”

Lord-Lieutenant Robert Voss helped present the volunteering award to Barbara Funnell (Image: West Herts NHS Trust)

The Lord-Lieutenant of Hertfordshire Robert Voss was among the guests and helped present the outstanding contribution to volunteering to Barbara Funnell, who is aged nearly 90 and has provided 25 years’ service to teams across the trust.

He said: “It was a great honour and privilege to be able to present the volunteering award to Barbara Funnell at the Star of Herts Awards.

"How wonderful to meet so many of the amazing staff and volunteers of the West Herts NHS Trust all doing so much to support the community. They are all stars.”

Dr Rishi Fofaria won the innovation and development award for his work in 'transforming' the nutrition team (Image: West Herts NHS Trust)

The award winners and finalists were:

Chief Executive’s Award Excellence for Care: Winner: Beverley Owoo-Grant; Finalists: Early Pregnancy Unit, Jo O’Sullivan.

Trust Value Award Compassion: Winner: Gillian Winkworth; Finalists: Casey McCarthy, Lindsey Dolan.

Trust Value Award Inclusion: Winner: Dr Shamira Ghouse; Finalists: Andrea Hone, Hannah Davison.

Outstanding Demonstration of Quality and Safety: Winner: Hannah Bysouth; Finalists: Harm Free Care Team, Jane Coulson.

Outstanding Contribution to Volunteering: Winner: Barbara Funnell; Finalists: John Duthie, Therapy Dog Volunteers.

The People’s Choice Award: Winner: Dr Tom Galliford; Finalists: Rommel Retuerma, Granger Ward (formerly Winter Ward).

Chairman’s Award Inspirational Team: Winner: Pre-op Assessment, St Albans; Finalists: Cancer CNS Team, Endoscopy Nursing Team.

Around 600 members of trust staff attended Saturday's awards ceremony (Image: West Herts NHS Trust)

Trust Value Award Empowered: Winner, Sarah Guest; Finalists: Rehana Muncey, Ms Shikha Kapur.

Outstanding Demonstration of Innovation and Development: Winner, Dr Rishi Fofaria; Finalists, Melanie Newman, Tudor Ward.

Trust Value Award Professional: Winner, Urogynaecology Team; Finalists: Alex Withero, Dr Solieman Mohammed.

Chief Executive’s Award Research Excellence: Winner, Children’s Emergency Department; Finalists: Jasmin Pandhal, Giant Panda Watford Research Team, Special Care Baby Unit Team.

Outstanding Contribution to Teaching and Education: Winner, Respiratory Physiotherapy Team; Finalists: Kirsty Soos, The Preceptorship Team.

Outstanding Contribution to Staff Wellbeing: Winner, Julianne Miranda; Finalists: Hannah Reynolds, Louise Loveday.

The Chairman’s Award Inspirational Colleague: Winner, Lily Murphy; Finalists: Dani Pavel, Dr Julia Ostberg.