Team QEH Awards 2024
The Team QEH Awards celebrate the exceptional efforts of our Trust staff and volunteers who have made a positive impact on our services, patients, visitors, and colleagues.
This year we received over 700 nominations across 14 categories. Each nomination tells a unique story of our dedicated teams, staff and volunteers, and it makes us enormously proud to hear of the many ways colleagues have gone that extra mile to deliver safe and compassionate care to our patients and their families.
Our winners
Exceptional Quality of Care Award
Dr Mohammed Imran, General Medicine Consultant
Dr Imran was nominated for going above and beyond for his patients, being an excellent team player. His nomination said that he truly delivers patient-centred care.
Mohammed said: “I feel incredibly privileged – it was a complete surprise. My colleagues kept saying I was going to win but I still didn’t expect to.”
One to Watch Award
Charley Cartman, Administration Assistant – New QEH Team
Charley was nominated for her enthusiasm and professional attitude. Her nomination said that she is an asset to the team and her contributions have been pivotal in enhancing the New QEH team’s performance and efficiency.
Charley said: “This is incredibly special and so unexpected. I feel like I’m dreaming. I want to say a huge thank you to my team and particularly Peter Cox – without him this wouldn’t have happened and he’s completely changed my life.”
Leader of the Year Award – Sponsored by exi-Group
Mandi English, Ward Sister – Acute Medical Unit
Mandi was nominated for her brilliant leadership, managing two wards for over a year and consistently supporting staff and ensuring high-quality care. Her nomination said that her dedication has significantly improved patient outcomes.
Mandi said: “I’m completely shocked. There are a lot of really great leaders out there so to have won means a great deal. This is a great honour and will definitely take a few days to sink in.”
Award for Outstanding Achievement in Innovation – Sponsored by NICHE Anchor Institute
Jodie Tillett, Stroke Nurse Manager – West Raynham
Jodie was nominated for the difference she is making to colleagues and patients including creating new handover sheets which makes sure that not a single point about a patient’s care is missed and ensures that anything serious has been escalated or informed within the teams or any other teams.
Jodie said: “I’m feeling very overwhelmed at the moment – looking at the other nominations who have done some incredible things I really wasn’t expecting to win. I couldn’t have done this without the team team behind me. I’d like to say a special thank you all of the staff working for the stroke service at the Trust.”
Kindness Award
Ross Kall, Communications Officer – Communications
Ross was nominated for this kindness and attitude that makes QEH a better place to work. His nomination included how he worked tirelessly to set up and record an event that enabled a dying father’s wish to watch his daughter get married.
Ross said: “I’m completely speechless and honestly didn’t think it was going to be me. It’s an honour to be nominated and fantastic to win and I will continue to spread kindness across the Trust.”
Wellness Award
Victoria Hollywood, Senior Operating Department Practitioner – Theatres
Victoria’s nomination said that after the loss of two colleagues she turned her grief into something positive and arranged a wellbeing afternoon for colleagues. This gave staff the opportunity to speak openly or privately about any difficulties they might be experiencing.
Victoria said: �I’m so happy and so pleased to have won. It really means a lot and this was honesty a team effort and I couldn’t have done it without them.”
Fairness Award – Sponsored by Barnes Construction
Faye Barnes, Legal Services Support Officer – Complaints & Litigation
Faye’s nomination said that she has gone above and beyond to develop a service which improves access to acute medical care for British Sign Language speaking and non-English speaking patients.
Faye said: “It’s phenomenal to have won this award, and I am so happy to see how things have changed for the better at the hospital. The Trust is so supportive and is always behind you encouraging you to make positive changes for staff and patients – I am so happy to be apart of this.”
Living to our Values Award
Mark Carter, Excel Engineering
Mark went above and beyond last December to ensure that patients did not have to have their operations cancelled when the Sterile Services Department needed a crash deck installed urgently over the Christmas period.
Mark said: “I’m feeling shocked and honoured to have won. It’s a real privilege and it really means a lot.”
Clinical Team of the Year Award – Sponsored by Advanced Building Projects East Anglia Ltd
Critical Care Unit / ITU
Critical Care were nominated by a patient’s wife who had their final moments of life on this ward being cared for by the team. The nomination said “I will never forget how amazing every single member of staff was at the hardest time in my life.”
The team said: “This is brilliant and means so much. Although you enjoy what you do and you put your heart and soul into it because that’s what you want to do, it feels incredible for someone to recognise that, to take the time to nominate you and then for a panel of judges to choose you – it’s just amazing.”
Non-Clinical Team of the Year
Acute Medical Unit Patient Flow Co-ordinators
The Acute Medical Unit Patient Flow Co-ordinators were nominated for going above and beyond the call of duty every day to ensure the smooth running of the ward. The nomination said that they are kind, caring, smart and work extremely hard every day.
Collectively, the team said: “We’re so amazed. We really didn’t expect this at all – we only started in January so our work feels so fresh but we’ve all gelled so much and we work so great together.”
Deputy Lieutenant, Lady Romney, presented this award to the team and she said: “You only have to look at these ladies and you realise that not only to they deserve it but they really are worthy winners too.”
Working Together Award – Sponsored by MTX Contracts Ltd
The League of Friends
The volunteer-led League of Friends has been in existence for more than 70 years. They have raised millions of pounds for equipment – not only benefiting patients and their loves ones, but all staff throughout the hospital.
On behalf of the team, League of Friends Chair, Penny Hipkin said: “We’re all feeling wonderful – shocked, but wonderful. It’s such a wonderful achievement for all of us and we’re so grateful to be recognised in this way.”
John Voaden Volunteer of the Year Award
Al Ware, West Raynham Ward (Stroke) – Stroke Association Volunteer
Al suffered a stroke in 2013 and after recovering decided he wanted to give something back. A keen artist himself, Al has been running the art therapy workshops in the community, support stroke survivors to meet new people and build their confidence.
Al said: “I still haven’t taken it all in to be honest. This is such an honour and I feel so privileged.”
Cllr Stuart Dark, who presented Al with his award, said: “Award nights like this to are so important to give people like Al and his family a moment in the spotlight when he’s doing so much behind the scenes – a huge thank you Al for everything you do.”
Unsung Hero Award – Sponsored by R G Carter
Andy Richardson, Transfer Support Assistant – Site Management Team
Andy was nominated for being a true source of inspiration and motivation for others. His nomination said that he has a positive attitude and always has a smile on his face and goes the extra mile.
Andy said: “I am totally shocked. I wasn’t expecting that at all. I just go into work and do my job, so to be rewarded like this feels so strange. I am so grateful and just want to say a huge thank you.”
The Chair’s Award
Sheridan Bell, Registered Nursing Associate / Nursing Degree Apprentice
Sheridan was selected as the Chair’s Award winner. She looks after some of our most vulnerable patients – children. She has developed her career and skills over the last 10 years at the hospital from starting as a healthcare assistant.
Sheridan said: “I am so shocked, I still don’t think it’s registered. I was told my colleague had won the award and I was asked to come with her tonight – I even asked the gentleman behind me to film her when she goes up.
“I am absolutely delighted and feel very privileged to be personally selected by the Chair!”