Some of Merseyside’s hardest working NHS staff have been recognised at an awards ceremony hosted by Southport celebrity chef Simon Rimmer.

More than 400 staff from Aintree University Hospital gathered for the hospital’s annual Aintree Excellence Awards to see the winners announced at St George’s Hall.

Team of the Year went to the Ambulatory Heart Failure Service, which has been labelled as an “outstanding service” by external health bodies and was also presented with a national award for its innovative app-based work with patients.
Colette Finnan, Assistant Practitioner, was named Employee of the Year. She was nominated for the award by her colleagues for being an “inspiration” to those around her.


The Proud of Aintree Award, which was nominated for by members of the public, went to the Critical Care Outreach Team. A patient’s relative said in one of their nominations: “They genuinely cared and I feel they made a huge difference to my mum’s care and recovery.”

Volunteer of the Year went to 18-year-old Magdalena O’Connor Manson, one of the hospital’s youngest volunteers. Magdalena has cared for patients in the Accident and Emergency department for nearly two years, alongside studying and recently securing a place at university to study medicine. She is one of more than 800 volunteers who give their time to the hospital.

The Safety First Team was presented with a special recognition award by Steve Warburton, Chief Executive, acknowledging their successful work to create a “safety first” culture among all staff.

Steve Warburton said: “I would like to congratulate all of the winners on their achievements. I’m proud to work alongside these incredible teams and individuals who work tirelessly every day to provide outstanding care for our patients. It’s so important to take the time to celebrate their work.”

Aintree’s outgoing Chair, Neil Goodwin, was thanked for his service to the hospital.
The event was sponsored by Brimark Signs Ltd, Hill Dickinson, Blush Design Agency and the Innovation Agency.


The full list of winners is as follows:
· Divisional Award - Diagnostics & Clinical Support - Pharmacy-Surgical Admissions Team
· Divisional Award - Corporate Services - Catering Team
· Divisional Award – Medicine - Ambulatory Heart Failure Service
· Divisional Award – Surgery - Trauma & Orthopaedics and Ear, Nose & Throat Service Integration Team
· Innovator of the Year - Incident and Investigation Team
· Leader of the Year - Dr Anne Foley
· Learner of the Year – Meghan Long
· Outstanding Contribution to Safety - Daniel Ordidge
· Unsung Heroes - Dr Julie Raj
· Contribution to Education Award - Clinical Education Team
· Team of the Year - Ambulatory Heart Failure Service
· Proud of Aintree - Critical Care Outreach Team
· Employee of the Year – Colette Finnan
· Volunteer of the Year – Magdalena O’Connor Manson
· Chief Executive’s Award – Safety First Team
The winners were chosen by a panel including representatives from local Healthwatch groups, staff side unions, Executive and Non-Executive Directors and Governors.