Standing ovation for emergency care teams that see patients every 90 seconds
Emergency care teams that see patients every 90 seconds received a standing ovation, alongside hospital cleaners and security staff, at an NHS awards show hosted by Myleene Klass.
The awards celebrated the care and contribution of 17,000 healthcare workers across St George’s, Epsom and St Helier University Hospitals and Health Group (gesh).
Taking to the stage, TV and radio presenter, musician and campaigner, Myleene Klass, described the event as “bigger than the Oscars” – as patients gave their thanks to “humbling and inspirational” NHS staff who have gone above and beyond.
Nearly 400 NHS workers and their supporters took to their feet at London’s historic Oval – with hundreds more watching online – as awards for outstanding care and service were handed out to teams facing unprecedented demand:
- Emergency Departments across three busy hospitals were highly commended as the “pride of gesh” by the Group’s Chief Medical Officer – working relentlessly to provide the highest standards of care and safety despite record levels of attendances;
- Hospital housekeepers working 24/7 to keeping one of the capital’s busiest Emergency Departments at St George’s clean and comfortable received one of the loudest rounds of applause; and
- Security teams always on duty at St George’s, Epsom and St Helier hospitals were cheered for keeping patients and staff safe against rising levels of violence and aggression.
Myleene is an NHS advocate with her mother, Magdalena, working as a nurse for 40 years after coming to the UK from the Philippines in the 1970s.
The mum-of-three said: “Through my mum, I saw the sacrifices, compassion, the empathy and commitment that it takes to care for others. You see us at our most vulnerable, irrespective of our backgrounds.
“It was my absolute honour to be able to thank the devoted workers at St George’s, Epsom and St Helier in a room filled with love – never lose sight of the incredible difference you make every single day.”
Jacqueline Totterdell, Group Chief Executive, added: “I am so proud of the talent, dedication and passion that define our gesh family. This was our biggest-ever awards ceremony to value and reward our people who go above and beyond every single day.”
Consultant Midwife Martina Montagna at St George’s Hospital took home the only prize nominated by the public – receiving the Public Choice Award for Outstanding Care, for supporting a patient with a history of childhood sexual abuse through a challenging pregnancy and birth.
The patient who nominated her said: “This was a massive gift and was something I didn’t think possible – it’s helped increase my ability to trust caregivers and care providers in future. I couldn’t be more grateful.”
Other winners included children’s nurse specialists at St George’s Hospital, who work with families affected by conditions such as asthma and bronchiectasis – cutting admissions and reducing the length of stay in hospital for a child with complex needs by over 10 weeks.
St Helier Hospital was also celebrated for being the first in London to purchase a £1.2million nuclear medicine scanner, slashing waiting times by 90% from 20 weeks to just two – allowing radiologists to give patients scan results within hours instead of weeks.
The gesh CARE awards – covering 12 categories linked to the Group’s CARE strategy – was generously sponsored by St George’s Hospital Charity, Epsom & St Helier Hospitals Charity and local businesses.
All staff working in community and hospitals services were eligible for an award – from frontline clinicians to essential support teams, porters, cleaners and caterers.
