THERE were celebrations all round at Warrington Hospital as staff were rewarded for their hard work.

The Lovely Lane hospitals’ fifth annual staff ‘Thank you’ awards saw more than 150 staff nominated for awards.

Around half of the nominations were from patients and visitors who wanted staff who had cared for them and their families to receive some extra recognition for their work.

Among the winners were ward A7 who picked up team of the year after the care they gave a family’s father in the final stages of his fight against cancer.

End of life care also featured in the innovation and efficiency award won by nurse Joanne Meredith from the palliative care team WHO introduced a new system to ensure patients with an uncertain prognosis get the support they need.

In the excellence in patient care award, trauma coordinator Sue Wilde took first place for the care she provides in supporting patients from across Warrington and Halton who have needed often life-changing emergency surgery after accidents.

The radiology booking team won the supporting excellence in patient care category for their work co-ordinating more than 200,000 scans and tests and keeping waiting times among the lowest in the NHS while the League of Friends won the new volunteer of the year award for their fundraising and patient support services.

Acting intensive care matron Natalie Crosby was handed leader of the year for her work on the unit in providing the best care for seriously ill patients.

Employee of the year went to one of the unsung support teams behind the scenes at the hospitals.

Cheryl Holbrook and the domestic and portering team were nominated for their work in supporting a number of ward moves that had taken place throughout the year.

More than 30 staff who reached 30, 35 or 40 years’ unbroken service with the trust also received NHS long service awards.

Mel Pickup, chief executive at Warrington and Halton Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, said: “As well as a chance for us to say thank you to our staff, what makes these awards so special is that many of the winners are nominated by patients and their families who want to say thank you themselves to the individuals and teams who have supported them.

“We take a lot of pride in the work that these individuals and everyone who was nominated have done across our hospitals.”