Celebrating the outstanding work of NNUH staff

The outstanding work of staff working across the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust has been celebrated at the annual Staff Awards 2021.

More than 500 nominations for our teams and colleagues were made for this year’s Staff Awards scheme, which included entries from patients and families for the Patient Choice awards.

Five members of staff were presented with certificates for 40 years’ service and 15 colleagues received 25 years’ service awards and will be receiving gift vouchers funded by the N&N Hospitals Charity.

David White, NNUH Chairman, said: “On behalf of the Trust, we’d like to say a big thank you for all your support and dedication over a long career. We are very proud of our excellent individuals and teams and we are delighted to recognise those who have given so much of their lives to our hospitals and to the NHS.”

Priya Muthukumar, Neonatal Intensive Care Consultant, was winner of the individual Patient Choice award. She was nominated by the family of Lilly Rae who was the most pre-term baby cared for at our hospital’s NICU after being born at just 22 weeks.

Tayla Menear said: “Lilly required five months of care before returning home for the first time on April 28 2020. Many hospitals would and still do refuse to give active care to babies born younger than 24 weeks gestation but Lilly it’s proof that they can survive and thrive. Lilly could have been just another statistic had it not been for their dedication and belief. Priya was the first to see Lilly, the first to treat Lilly and the first to believe she could become the happy, hilarious little girl she is today.”

Karen Welham, Assistant Practitioner in Haematology, won the Silver Patient Choice Award and was praised for being supportive through a patient’s treatment over the last five years.

The nomination said: “When I have faced dark moments she has been there to support me. Karen made me laugh, we have cried together. Knowing someone is going the extra mile to make you well again and cares about you really helps you to get through all the years of treatment I’ve had to face and continue to do so.”

The Edith Cavell Award for outstanding leadership was won by Helen Lloyd, Vaccination Hub Lead, and Hilary Winch, Head of Workplace Health and Wellbeing

Lifetime achievement Hero awards were given to Alison Vinall, Head of Radiotherapy Physics, Chris Paul, Corporate Social Responsibility Manager, Alison Evans, Antenatal and Newborn Screening Lead and Deidre Searle, Senior Medical Secretary

Diversity Hero winner was Han Gillies, Radiology Admin lead.

Volunteer hero awards were given to Phil Rickard-Beech, Sharon Kelvie and the Volunteer Drivers.

The awards took place over three days in a socially distanced way.