THE commitment and professionalism of Health and social care staff from across the Western Trust area were recognised yesterday at the Trust’s Staff Recognition Awards.
The seventh annual Western Trust Staff Recognition Awards were hosted by the Chairman of the Western Trust, Gerard Guckian and Chief Executive, Elaine Way.
Special guest at the ceremony, Health Minister Simon Hamilton, presented the awards and paid tribute to the vital role played by health and social care staff in the West.
He said: “Since becoming Health Minister, I have visited many health and social care (HSC) settings across Northern Ireland and have always been highly impressed by how innovative, committed and hard working the staff are.
“The professionalism, dedication and compassion shown by our HSC staff never ceases to amaze.
“Today’s ceremony is an opportunity to celebrate that. Those receiving awards are some of the very best people working in the HSC – individuals and teams who not only work to deliver excellent services, but go the extra mile to look after patients or help colleagues; they look at better ways of working and they always have the service user at their heart.
“The staff who are being recognised today come from the full spectrum of HSC services, from the front line to the support staff and back office functions that enable those on the front line staff to do their job so well.
“All these roles are essential to the effective delivery of services and the staff nominated for awards are exceptional people who are truly deserving of this recognition.”
There were seven award categories and an overall Chairman’s Prize.
Individuals and teams, who were nominated by their peers, were celebrated for being innovative and for their exceptional contribution to improving services in all fields of the health and social care services.
Western Trust Chairman, Mr Gerard Guckian, congratulated all the award winners. He said: “It really is a privilege to be able to honour our fantastic staff at the annual awards ceremony.
“As we all know, staff are the Trust’s most valuable asset and many of them often go beyond what is expected of them, sometimes in challenging and difficult circumstances.
“The Staff Recognition Awards reflect our Trust core values and are a great opportunity to acknowledge the part individual members of staff and their teams play in delivering a high quality patient-centred service, whilst inspiring others and delivering beyond expectations.
“The winners and those highly commended represent all that is good about health and social care in this area.
“From inspirational leaders to those who go the extra mile working quietly behind the scenes – we all know of someone who deserves our special thanks and that is exactly what this event is all about.
“This is a day to be exceptionally proud of the calibre of people that we have working for our Trust and to celebrate the real difference they make to the lives of others’.”
The Trust Chairman thanked the Health Minister and sponsors McLaughlin and Harvey Ltd for attending the ceremony and helping make this a very special day for all those staff who were shortlisted and those who won an award.
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