An apprentice nurse from Broadmoor Hospital and a woman who has dedicated more than 30 years of her life to supporting children who have suffered burns are among the record number of healthcare workers and employers who have been crowned winners at the Our Health Heroes awards.

Yesterday (Friday 23^rd November), at an afternoon tea-themed award ceremony, actress Sunetra Sarker hosted the third annual Our Health Heroes awards at the OXO2 venue in London. 

Organised by Skills for Health, the National Skills Academy for Health and headline sponsor Health Education England, the awards celebrated the unsung healthcare heroes from across the UK in seven categories.

During the ceremony, Sunetra congratulated 20 regional winners, seven national winners and four runners up including Apprentice of the Year winner Adam Cramp (27) from Bracknell who is currently completing a Nursing Degree Apprenticeship at Broadmoor Hospital in Berkshire.

Adam, who gained the most support during the public vote, was nominated by his work colleagues for his ‘can-do’ attitude and the positive contribution he has made to the teams he has worked with.

The Workforce Planning Team of the Year award, sponsored by NHS England, was presented to the Enhanced Nursing Care Team from Lister Hospital, Stevenage.

The team was set up to provide enhanced one-to-one care – or ‘special observation’ – for patients who are confused or pose a high risk to themselves or others.

The trust had previously incurred high costs in the delivery of this care, which was usually provided by unskilled agency staff, which resulted in poor patient experiences. Since the introduction of the Enhanced Nursing Care Team the trust has reported a reduction in falls, length of stay and agency spend. In addition, there has also been a higher standard of care for high-risk patients recorded.

Another notable winner was Helen King from Birmingham Women’s and Children’s Hospital, who was awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award #NHS70 for her work as a child and family support worker for patients with burns.

Helen impressed the judges with her lifelong commitment to her patients, during which she has set up an informal support group Enzo’s Friends which is the only paediatric-specific support service of its kind in the country.

Our Health Heroes 2018 winners

Sponsored by NHS Improvement, Staff Retention and Wellbeing Employer of the Year:

Kingston Hospital NHS Foundation Trust in Kingston upon Thames

Sponsored by UNISON, Operational Services Support Worker of the Year:

Scotland and Northern Ireland: Margaret Canavan, Ward Housekeeper at Belfast City Hospital

Clinical Support Worker of the Year: Maxine Housley, Clinical Support Worker at Sheffield Teaching Hospitals

Apprentice of the Year (sponsored by the Yorkshire and Humber Excellence Centres – South Yorkshire Region Excellence Centre, West Yorkshire and Harrogate Excellence Centre and Humber, Coast and Vale Excellence Centre):

Gold: Adam Cramp, a Nursing Degree Apprentice at Broadmoor Hospital in Berkshire

Silver: Andrew Daffern, Talent for Care Apprentice at Coventry and Warwick Partnership NHS Trust

Bronze: Badar Anwer, Digital Communications Assistant at Birmingham and Solihull Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust

Integrated Team of the Year: Newcastle Regional Sleep Team from Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Sponsored by NHS England, Workforce Planning Team of the Year:

Gold: The Enhanced Nursing Care team from Lister Hospital in Stevenage

Silver: The Research and Development Clinical Delivery Team from University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire

Bronze: The Rotating Paramedic Programme by Health Education England

Sponsored by Skills for Health and National Skills Academy for Health, Lifetime Achievement #NHS70:

Gold: Helen King, a family support worker at Birmingham Women’s and Children’s Hospital

Silver: Joan Jenkins, receptionist at Ysbyty Cwm Cynon

Bronze: Malcolm Aiston, Managing Director at Northumberland Tyne and Wear NHS Foundation Trust Group

John Rogers, Chief Executive at Skills for Health, said: “Our Health Heroes gets bigger and better each time and this year was no exception.

“We introduced two new categories to allow us to celebrate some of the organisations who are leading the way in the Staff Retention and Wellbeing Employer category and those individuals who have dedicated their lives to healthcare through the Lifetime Achievement #NHS70 award.

“It has been an honour to hear more about those individuals, teams and employers who are going beyond their usual remit to deliver high-quality care to their patients and support to one another and their teams.

“Today’s award ceremony has reminded us all what makes our healthcare system so special. It’s the people and teams who go the extra mile, recognise opportunities for improvement and share knowledge and resources.

“Congratulations to all of those who have been recognised with an award this year, those who have taken home silver and bronze trophies and all 20 of our regional winners in the Clinical and Operational Services Support Worker of the Year categories.

“Heartfelt thanks to our headline sponsor Health Education England and category sponsors  

NHS England, NHS Improvement, UNISON and Health Education England – North, which is made up of the South Yorkshire Regional Excellence Centre, the West Yorkshire and Harrogate Excellence Centre and the Humber, Coast and Vale Excellence Centre.”

Laura Roberts, Regional Director at headline sponsor Health Education England (HEE), said: “These award once again showcase the incredibly high standard of work and the vital role played by both apprentices and support workers. As the main sponsor of Our Health Heroes 2018 we extend our heartfelt congratulations to all the winners.

“Support workers and apprentices are a key part of the healthcare workforce and, through our Talent for Care programme, HEE supports employers with their workforce supply. This is achieved via school engagement, volunteering, work experience, pre-employment activity, apprenticeships and access to higher education and the registered professions.”

For more information about the Our Health Heroes winners visit: www.skillsforhealth.org.uk/ohh-2018

News releases for each of the national winners will be issued to you this afternoon.