UNSUNG heroes at The Royal Bournemouth and Christchurch Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (RBCH) were honoured at a special staff awards ceremony last week.

The Trust’s annual Pride Awards event aims to recognise staff working in frontline and support services who have gone above and beyond the call of duty to deliver exceptional patient care.

More than 300 members of staff attended the awards evening at Lighthouse Poole which was hosted by Wave 105’s Steve Power and sponsored by the Bournemouth Daily Echo and Camps International.

Members of the public were able to nominate staff special to them in an Unsung Hero award sponsored by the Daily Echo. Winners were chosen by a panel of judges made up of Trust staff.

Reverend Duncan Ridgeon was among the winners, receiving a standing ovation from his colleagues as he was presented with his award by Bournemouth Daily Echo editor, Andy Martin.

Duncan was nominated for the award after supporting a local family through two consecutive tragedies.

His nominator, Claire Smith, described him as: “Quiet, unassuming and so kind. His reassuring presence was every bit as essential as the medical care. He is our hero.”

Trust chief executive, Tony Spotswood, added: “We are so proud of our staff, they work tirelessly to provide our patients with the excellent care that we would expect for our own families. The Pride Awards is our way of thanking our staff and recognising those who have performed outstanding deeds in the name of patient care."

Staff attending the event were nominated by their colleagues according to criteria listed in nine categories suited to different aspects of work carried out across the Trust.

Other winners included:

• Patient Experience Award: Sharon Wright

• Learning and Development Award: Pat Hartigan and Anthony Young

• Behind the Scenes Award: Emma Willett

• Award for Improving Quality: The Pharmacy Team, Ward 26

• Community and Charity Award: The Blue Coat Volunteers

• Award for Improving Patient Safety: Pauline Hamilton

• Inspirational Leadership Award: Sue Davies

• Award for Teamwork: The Interim Care Team

• Chairman’s Award: The Clinical Site Team