THE dedication of staff at Hampshire hospitals has been recognised at national level, with staff at a major trust shortlisted for four prestigious awards.

The WOW! Awards recognise the delivery of outstanding customer care by teams and individuals committed to delivering the best possible service.

The finalists have been chosen from more than 20,000 nominations from customers and colleagues from a broad range of organisations across the UK, Europe and Australia.

Hampshire hospitals NHS Foundation Trust musculoskeletal specialist Chris Mitchell, a physiotherapist, is a finalist in the You Changed My Life category after impressing with his dedication to helping patient Joy Deadman walk again after years of complications and setbacks.

Joy said: “I would never be where I am if it wasn’t for Chris. He is the most incredible man (and) full of compassion for his patients. I would have spent most of my life in a wheelchair if it wasn’t for his determination to get me walking. I will forever be so grateful to Chris.”

The critical care team in the intensive care unit at Royal Hampshire County Hospital in Winchester were nominated for the wonderful care they provided to a patient and their family during their final days together. Nominated by the family, the critical care team are now finalists in the What A Team! category.

Critical care consultant Dr Antony Ashton said: “I feel extremely honoured and proud to be part of a team that delivers such a high standard of compassionate care to patients and families who are going through some of the most difficult and emotional experiences of their lives.

“It is a wonderful recognition for the whole team’s dedication to care that we have been nominated for this national award.”

Sue Driver, a domestic assistant at Royal Hampshire County Hospital, is finalist thanks to her thoughtfulness in going the extra mile to help overseas nurses to feel at home. Sue organised a traditional English tea party to celebrate their achievements when they qualified to work as nurses in the UK.

She said: “I was shocked and delighted to have been nominated as a WOW! finalist. Helping to organise the tea party was the least I could do to show how much the nurses were appreciated and how proud we are to have them working alongside us. I was so impressed with their hard work and incredible achievements.”

Trust chief nurse Donna Green said: “All of the nominees have achieved something really special and we are so proud that the dedication and compassion of our staff is being recognised.”

The trust itself has also been named as a national finalist in the Best Use of the WOW! Awards Programme category.

Its chief executive, Alex Whitfield, said: “The WOW! Awards play a really important role in the trust, giving patients, visitors and staff the chance to highlight some of the amazing work being done every day.

“We are proud of the way everybody has embraced the WOW! Awards and are delighted to have been named as finalists for this very special award.”

Award winners will be announced at a gala ceremony later in the year.