STAFF and volunteers who go beyond the call of duty to help patients at Poole Hospital have been recognised in the Trust's annual awards ceremony.

More than 200 nominations were received from members of staff, patients and patients' families suggesting individuals and teams in a wide range of roles including receptionists, matrons and doctors.

There were also awards for fundraisers from the community at the ceremony, which took place at the Haven Hotel in Sandbanks on Wednesday, April 27.

Among the winners were the hospital's children’s therapy team, which won the 'patient care team award'.

They work with children with neurodevelopmental difficulties affecting their motor and sensory functions and play skills, as well as supporting and advising their parents and carers.

One parent described the team as "worth their weight in gold".

After the ceremony, children’s therapy lead Karina Parish said: “Our team feel very privileged to have our work recognised in this way.

"We take great pleasure in offering compassionate support to our patients, their families and their carers when they need it the most.

"Everyone in the team plays an important part in this and it’s that teamwork that helps us deliver the high quality care expected of us."

The awards were presented by hospital governors, board members and the event’s corporate sponsor Meggitt, with Fraser Smith from the Trust's chaplains team compering. Mayor of Poole Ann Stribley also attended and presented an award.

Paul Owen, won the 'fundraiser of the year' award for his work raising funds and awareness for the Gully's Place Trust Fund, a part of Poole Hospital Charity which supports youngsters with life-limiting and life-threatening illnesses.

Mr Owen has been decorating his taxi and dressing up as Father Christmas, as well as other seasonal and topical figures, for the past three years and has raised more than £4,000.

Other winners were Lilliput elderly care ward for 'best performance', as nominated by patient families, community midwife matron Belinda Doe for 'innovation and improvement', Wendy Hinchley for 'going the extra mile', Liz Bailey for 'individual patient care', Jamie Pearse as 'volunteer of the year' and Karen Fernley as 'employee of the year'.

Meggitt also awarded bursaries to two staff, Christine Fox and Elizabeth Adams.