The Stars Shine on Royal Surrey’s Award-Winning Staff

Published on: 29 Nov, 2019
Updated on: 1 Dec, 2019

Paediatric Diabetes Nurse Specialist Nigel Thorpe, received eight nominations.

It was a starry night (November 27) for the staff of the Royal Surrey County Hospital NHS Foundation Trust.

Nigel Thorpe, a paediatric diabetes nurse specialist praised for his “complete understanding and dedication” for children with diabetes and their families was named a Royal Surrey Star at the ceremony in the Harbour Hotel, Guildford.

He scored a staggering eight nominations for the hospital’s annual staff awards and was commended for his efforts to prevent admissions to hospital.

Parent Kate Gambles, whose 13-year-old son, Edward, is one of his patients, said: “Nigel is an exceptional man, who goes out of his way to spend time reassuring my son over his diabetes

“He is always calming, knowledgeable, compassionate, kind and funny.

“My son can be anxious about his diabetes and Nigel always manages to reassure him and he trusts him implicitly, as we do.”

Another parent added: “Nigel is an amazing human being. He nurses my six-year-old diabetic son any time day or night.

“Nigel has complete understanding and dedication not only to his young patients but their families.”

A total of 15 awards have been made and the Trust had the greatest number of award nominations in the event’s history, with more than 600 submitted by staff and patients.

Representatives of Chilworth Day Unit

Chilworth Day Unit was named the Trust’s Team of the Year after managing changes in the department with positivity and resilience.

The winners were praised for their “kindness and respect” and for “working tirelessly to ensure that patients receiving chemotherapy or related treatments receive efficient, compassionate and safe care”.

Razan Altarsha was named the employee of the year

Razan Altarsha, a medicines management technician in the pharmacy team, was named the Trust’s employee of the year.

Her citation read: “Razan puts everyone before herself, patients and colleagues. She is the first on the ward in the morning and last to leave.

“She completes medication reconciliations to a high standard and raises concerns about patient’s health and wellbeing, even when they are not pharmaceutically related.”

Chief executive Louise Stead said: “The NHS is facing increasing challenges and we know that our dedicated, compassionate, hard-working teams manage these pressures 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

“This year, the response from patients and staff has been quite incredible with a record number of nominations.

“The sheer strength of feeling about those they have seen going above and beyond the call of duty is humbling.

“All of the finalists and winners demonstrate outstanding care and commitment and make this trust something that the whole community can be proud of.”

The event’s platinum sponsors were Dell CDW and Medirest. Gareth Donaldson, contract director for Medirest, said: “We are honoured to have the opportunity to support the Trust recognising its fantastic people who ensure every patient is treated with the best care possible every day.”

Dell’s Matt Johnson said: “From an NHS perspective, there are many unsung heroes tending to our communities 24/7/365.

“As a trusted supplier alongside CDW, we go the extra mile and support the Trust in recognising its staff and the incredible work they do, year in, year out.”

The evening was also supported by Eagle Radio, Gidden Place, Hempson’s, Hill Dickinson, K2, Pulse, Team Prevent, University of Surrey, Verse one and Wilsons.

This story is based on a press release from the Royal Surrey County Hospital.