KAREN Howell, chief executive of Wirral Community NHS Foundation Trust, looks back on a night honouring amazing work that goes on in the trust ...

IT'S not often I find myself lost for words but it is hard to describe how just how humbled and inspired I was on Friday night at our annual staff awards.

Nearly 200 people packed the Leverhulme Hotel in Port Sunlight for a fantastic evening celebrating the outstanding care, treatment and support that our amazing staff deliver 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

Local actress and comedienne Pauline Daniels was very kindly our host for the night.

We were delighted to be joined by The Lord Lieutenant of Merseyside, Mark Blundell, Deputy Mayor of Wirral Cllr Geoffrey Watt, Deputy Mayoress Mrs Anne Watt, and the High Sheriff of Merseyside Stephen Burrows.

This year we received more nominations than we have ever had before.

They were all outstanding, making it a difficult task for the judging panels.

Winners on the night were:

  • Exceptional Care Award: Emma Taylor, community nursing
  • Promoting Equality and Diversity: Sexual Health Wirral
  • Innovation: the Tele-triage project
  • Excellence in Partnership: Claire McAndrew and Jill Brindley, Cheshire East 0-19 Health and Wellbeing Service
  • Quality Improvement: Alex Paddock, Nutrition and Dietetics 
  • Outstanding achievement: Kate Griffiths, 0-19 Teen Team
  • Volunteer of the Year: Kevin Garrod, Wirral Heart Support
  • Inspirational leadership: Jo Chwalko, Divisional Manager, Integrated Children's Division
  • Chair and chief executive Awards: Adult Social Care Integration Project and the Walk-in centres
  • People's Heart Award: Phil Rhodes, Children and Wellbeing 

Thank you to everyone who submitted a nomination for our coveted Patients Heart award and to our members and governors who took part in the judging panels.

It was a magnificent evening celebrating the amazing work that goes on in Wirral Community NHS Foundation Trust.

It was also an opportunity to thank those who achieved Long Service Awards for 25 years' dedication to the NHS.

The event would not be possible without the kind generosity of our sponsors.

These included: Ellerbanks Construction, Hill Dickinson, Assista Consulting, Medacs Healthcare, the Innovation Agency and LT Print.

Thank you to everyone who made it such a memorable night.