Staff members and volunteers from across Airedale NHS Foundation Trust and AGH Solutions were honoured at a special event last week held in Ilkley.
The Pride of Airedale awards were created to recognise the amazing hard work and dedication staff at the Trust have shown over the past year. As well as celebrating teams and leaders of the year, awards were also given to ‘unsung heroes’ and those giving outstanding patient care.
This year, a record-breaking 400 nominations were received which were whittled down by a series of judging panels to 13 winners. The event was held at Ilkley Lawn Tennis Club and was made possible by sponsorship from Airedale Hospital & Community Charity, Archus, CAE Technology Services, Gleeds, Hempsons, Hive Projects, Sovereign Health Care and Standout Media.
This year’s categories and winners are:
• The Airedale Partnership Award – Stroke Vocational Rehabilitation Team
• Colleague of the Year (AGH Solutions) - Tracy Petty, Domestic Services
• Colleague of the Year (clinical) – Hannah Smith, Healthcare Support Worker
• Colleague of the Year (non-clinical) – Jamie Haley, Diabetes team administrator (posthumous)
• Leader of the Year – Angharad Williams, Senior Sister
• Meeting the Needs Award – Georgia Nicholson, Healthcare Support Worker
• Quality Improvement Award – The Long Covid Pathway – Vocational Rehabilitation Team
• The Quality Award for Outstanding Patient Experience – Bethany Bradley, Senior Pharmacy Technician
• Team of the Year (AGH Solutions) – Sterile Services Department and Decontamination Services
• Team of the Year (clinical) – Ward 5
• Team of the Year (non-clinical) – Emergency Department Volunteers
• Trainee of the Year – Louise Moorhouse, Therapy Apprentice Administrator
• Unsung Hero – Abbie Cutler, Healthcare Support Worker
Non-Clinical Colleague of the Year was awarded posthumously to Jamie Haley, who had worked for many years at Airedale and who died earlier this year, following an illness. Jamie’s partner Chris and family were at the event and were honoured to receive the award on her behalf.
Senior sister Shinta Joseph (on behalf of Ward 5) – “We’re delighted with the win. It’s a testament to the work of our fantastic team who take a truly holistic approach to care and put patients at the centre of everything we do.”
Clinical Assessor Abi Howe (on behalf of The Long Covid Pathway) – Vocational Rehabilitation team – “It’s a real honour to be recognised for the team’s efforts and positive change the pathway is making to the lives of patients.”
Abigail Crabtree, Clinical Lead (on behalf of the Stroke Vocational Rehabilitation Team) – “We all feel really proud as a team for creating such a positive and influential partnership. This award feels like a stepping stone to bigger partnerships in in the future.”
Domestic Assistant Tracy Petty, from Keighley was nominated for choosing to learn British Sign Language in her spare time, to be able to communicate with a hearing-impaired colleague: “I feel really humble to have received this award. All I did was find a gap and wanted to fill it.”
Bethany Bradley, from Bingley – “The award was really unexpected but I’m very grateful. It’s really nice to be recognised and appreciated for the hard work you’ve done when everyone’s so busy.”
Sterile Services Department Technician Gemma Williamson, from Crosshills (on behalf of SSD and Decontamination Services) – “We feel really valued as a whole team and it’s good to be nominated as it means people can see how well we all work together.”
Angharad Williams, from Ilkley – “I’m very grateful for the win and would like to thank everyone who nominated me. I wouldn’t have achieved anything without my amazing team”.
‘Foluke Ajayi, Chief Executive of Airedale NHS Foundation Trust said:
“These are challenging times for everyone in the NHS which is all the more reason to recognise the exceptional work being done across our organisation and take that recognition back into the day job.
“These winners showcase just a fraction of the incredible work that takes place on a daily basis across our hospital and out in our community.
“I want to give my congratulations to all our nominees and award winners: their commitment to excellence and compassionate care makes a profound difference in the lives of our patients and the community we serve, and they are truly inspiring.”
Winners received a certificate and personalised glass trophy, as well as a Robertshaw’s gift hamper/goody bag and vouchers.
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