Award-winning health and care staff came together for an uplifting awards ceremony in Torquay last week.
Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust’s annual Our People celebration event took place on Thursday 23 May 2024 at the Riviera International Centre.
Around 300 winners, nominees and sponsors attended included winners from the organisation’s Our People Awards as well as the winners of the DAISY Award for nurses and midwives; the My manager cares that I’m a carer support award; and awards that recognise specialty, specialist and associate specialist (SAS) doctors, junior doctors and Allied Health Professionals.
Liz Davenport, Chief Executive of Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust, who co-hosted the ceremony along with Chair Sir Richard Ibbotson, said: “We are tremendously grateful for the contribution that every single one of our 7,000 strong team makes.
“The annual Our People celebration is an opportunity for us to say a special ‘thank you’ to everyone who has been recognised in one of the award schemes we have running across our organisation to help us deliver better care for all.
“Award winners across all categories from the past year were invited to the ceremony and enjoyed a dinner and disco with their colleagues to celebrate their achievements. The night was only possible thanks to the generosity of Nevada Construction, Kier Construction, KTA Architects, PSB Scaffolding, Services Design Solution, and Bailey Partnership, who I would like to thank for generously sponsored the event.”
As well as celebrating those who had won awards during the previous year, Dr Freddie Sweeting and the breast care unit were named the winners of the prestigious individual and team Our People’s Choice awards respectively, which members of the public voted for in their thousands.
The awards recognise the compassion, kindness and hard work of people who go above and beyond to provide exceptional care.
Young Devon was crowned the winner of the People Partner award, which is given once a year to colleagues from partner organisations who make a difference to people who use Torbay and South Devon NHS services or their carers.
The Charity Champion Award was also presented to Jane Read, Gill Walach and Cheryl MacKinnon who, between them had raised more than £20,000 for the Torbay and South Devon NHS Charity on top of their busy day jobs.
The event was co-hosted by Sir Richard Ibbotson, who was undertaking one of his final official engagements before his tenure ends at the end of May after nearly a decade of dedicated service.
Sir Richard said: “It’s always an honour to be part of such a special evening, as not only does it allow us to come together to celebrate the efforts of our wonderful award winners, but it is also a chance for me to say ‘Thank you’ in person.
“Those invited to this glittering ceremony highlighted the exceptional care and compassion we see daily across the Torbay and South Devon family and are the very reason we are all so proud to be part of the NHS.
“It was a wonderful evening but is made extra special knowing that many of the winners here tonight have been nominated by our public and those we have cared for. It is also a big thank you to the public who have nominated for those who gave you or a loved one excellent care.
“Congratulations to all of our winners and thank you to all of our people who do incredible things each and every day.”
If you have received excellent care or support from any of Torbay and South Devon NHS people or services, then consider making a nomination. Members of the public can submit nominations for next year’s Our People’s Choice award online at tsdft.uk/awards.
