A HEALTHCARE trust has paid tribute to its ‘incredible’ staff as it celebrates a decade of caring Hampshire residents

Hampshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (HHFT) is marking its 10th anniversary this month and over the course of the year, celebrating its achievements over the decade and looking ahead with excitement at the years to come.

The trust was formed on January 9, 2012, a move which saw Basingstoke and North Hampshire Hospital, Royal Hampshire County Hospital in Winchester and Andover War Memorial Hospital come together as one trust.

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A spokesperson for HHFT said the trust will be showing their appreciation and saying thank you to all the incredible staff past and present for their care, compassion and dedication in caring for the local community over the last ten years.

Hampshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust provides hospital services to approximately 600,000 people in Hampshire and parts of West Berkshire. It has around 8,600 staff and a turnover of over £500 million a year.

Andover Advertiser: From the opening day of HHFT in 2012From the opening day of HHFT in 2012

The spokesperson added: “This is something that has never been more important as teams across the hospitals continue to go above and beyond to respond to the pandemic while still delivering all the services patients and their families need.

“Hampshire Hospitals belongs to the community it serves and so everyone is being encouraged to get involved by sharing their positive stories, messages of thanks, photos and videos of the trust over the coming days via social media using #Happy10thBirthdayHHFT.”

Andover Advertiser: When the Duke of Cambridge, Prince William visited the Ark Conference Centre and the Basingstoke Hospital in 2012. Pic credit: Sarah Gaunt PhotographyWhen the Duke of Cambridge, Prince William visited the Ark Conference Centre and the Basingstoke Hospital in 2012. Pic credit: Sarah Gaunt Photography

Members of the public are also being invited to give a special birthday present to their local NHS by taking part in the £10 for HHFT10 fundraising campaign, launched by Hampshire Hospitals Charity. 

The campaign gives everyone the chance to make a small donation that will make a big difference to HHFT staff and patients by enabling Hampshire Hospitals Charity to fund items and support for staff and patients.

To donate visit https://www.justgiving.com/northhampshireh.

Hampshire Hospitals’ chief nurse, Julie Dawes, said: “We’re incredibly proud of what we have achieved in the last 10 years here at Hampshire Hospitals and are excited about the years to come.

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“Our incredible staff – past and present – are what makes HHFT so special and are at the heart of everything we do. We rely on them to keep our patients safe and well looked after, and to keep our hospitals running and each day we see them go above and beyond.

“As we continue to respond to the pandemic and are tackling the challenges ahead, it has never been more important to take a moment to reflect, celebrate and say thank you.

“We are so appreciative of all the support people have shown for their local NHS, and over the coming days and weeks, we’ll be looking back at our memories of the last ten years and we’d encourage you to join us in – we’re looking forward to marking this special occasion together.”

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Kimberley Barber