THE care and dedication shown by staff across north Hampshire's hospitals has been celebrated.

Hampshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (HHFT) celebrated staff's achievement at its fifth annual WOW! Awards Gala Ceremony held on Tuesday last week.

Overall, 100 winners of the WOW! Awards scheme from Andover War Memorial Hospital, Basingstoke and North Hampshire Hospital, and Royal Hampshire County Hospital, in Winchester, were selected to attend a special ceremony at the Holiday Inn in Winchester.

The event saw the Trust’s overall WOW! winners for the year announced, with awards handed out in nine different categories.

Community midwife Kathryn Weymouth, based in Andover, claimed the Rotary Club of Andover Award for providing help and reassurance to a new mum who had been having trouble breastfeeding.

Fellow community midwife Lucy Edwards, who is based at Basingstoke hospital, claimed the Family and Clinical Support Services Division Award for her care of a woman who was diagnosed with cancer during the course of two pregnancies.

Lucy supported the woman through her pregnancies and ensured that all relevant staff were aware of her condition, but also made made sure she was available to support the woman through labour by going into the hospital during a period of annual leave and also arranged for the family to receive donated breast milk.

Lucy said: “I adored caring for this woman, so coming in when I should have been on annual leave to help her deliver her baby was something that I didn’t think twice about.

“This family mean a huge amount to me. I spent a lot of time with them because of their specific situation and even though the babies have been born, I still keep in touch with them.

“I did not expect to win a WOW! Award in the first place, let alone win the annual divisional award. I’m incredibly proud and it is a real highlight of my career so far.”

Last year, the Trust received 3,024 WOW! nominations for staff who had made a difference to someone.

Staff can be nominated by colleagues, patients or visitors throughout the year, with a handful of winners selected by the trust’s public governors each month.

Liz Padmore, chairman of Hampshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, said: “As chairman of our organisation I see and hear about the many great examples of the positive difference our staff make to patients, their families, their friends and to each other.

“I am delighted to see you get the recognition you deserve. I know many of you here tonight consider what you do to be all in a day’s work and are modest about your achievements, but I encourage you to be proud of your contribution.”

The guest speaker for the evening was doctor, broadcaster and comedian Dr Phil Hammond.

Award winners

Chairman’s Award (team) – E1 Ward, Basingstoke and North Hampshire Hospital

Chairman’s Award (individual) – Rebecca Hawkins, physiotherapist based at Basingstoke and Alton Cardiac Rehabilitation Centre

Runners-up – Valentine Chiguvare, clinical matron, C3 Ward, Basingstoke and North Hampshire Hospital; Bee Messingham, healthcare assistant, theatres, Basingstoke and North Hampshire Hospital

Rotary Club of Basingstoke Deane Award (Team) – Dementia team

Rotary Club of Basingstoke Deane Award (Individual) – Jonathan Domingo, acute oncology practitioner, Basing Unit, Basingstoke and North Hampshire Hospital

Rotary Club of Winchester Award (Team) – IT Department

Rotary Club of Winchester Award (Individual) – Dan Spacagna, porter, Royal Hampshire County Hospital

Rotary Club of Andover Award – Kathryn Weymouth, community midwife, Andover War Memorial Hospital

The WOW! Awards – Gill Lloyd, diabetes nurse specialist, Basingstoke and North Hampshire Hospital

Special commendation – Mortuary team, Royal Hampshire County Hospital

Corporate Services Award – Dan Spacagna, porter, Royal Hampshire County Hospital

Family and Clinical Support Services Award – Lucy Edwards, community midwife, Basingstoke and North Hampshire Hospital

Medical Services Award – Site team

Surgical Services Award – Critical care team, Royal Hampshire County Hospital