Remarkable staff and volunteers at Ipswich Hospital who go the extra mile were recognised at the trust’s annual awards ceremony.

Ipswich Star: Stewart Taylor, frailty assessment base administrator. Picture: PAGEPIXStewart Taylor, frailty assessment base administrator. Picture: PAGEPIX (Image: Pagepix Ltd.07976 935738)

The event was held at Kesgrave Hall tonight and was attended by hospital leaders, shortlisted candidates and special guests including Mayor of Ipswich Sarah Barber; University of Suffolk’s vice-chancellor, Richard Lister; and Ipswich Star and East Anglian Daily Times editor, Brad Jones.

Nick Hulme, chief executive of Ipswich Hospital, said: “Every day, in every corner of our organisation, there are colleagues going about their every day jobs in exceptional ways – both those giving direct patient care and those providing services to support our clinical staff in doing their jobs.

“These awards give us the chance to say thank you.

“We’ve heard some truly incredible stories of compassion, dedication and kindness and I am proud to be part of this team.”

Ipswich Star: Stewart Taylor, frailty assessment base administrator. Picture: PAGEPIXStewart Taylor, frailty assessment base administrator. Picture: PAGEPIX (Image: Pagepix Ltd.07976 935738)

Training therapeutic radiographer, Lara Burgess, was announced Trainee of the Year.

Along with her excellent work in Ipswich Hospital’s radiotherapy team, Ms Burgess also gives her time voluntarily to help Suffolk’s university recruit radiographers of the future by writing material for an app to support fellow students.

Paediatric registrar, Dr Nick Schindler, was highly commended.

Dr Schindler is a junior doctor in the children’s department and was described as an “education champion who loves his job and flies the flag for the NHS, Ipswich Hospital and paediatric medicine”.

Ipswich Star: Stewart Taylor, frailty assessment base administrator. Picture: PAGEPIXStewart Taylor, frailty assessment base administrator. Picture: PAGEPIX (Image: Pagepix Ltd.07976 935738)

Administrator Stewart Taylor won Living the Values Colleague of the Year for his work in the Frailty Assessment Base.

Mr Taylor is often sent ‘thank you’ cards from patients and families for making them feel at ease, and offers invaluable support to clinical colleagues.

Patient Experience coordinator, Pam Talman, was highly commended for leading the hospital’s Kissing it Better project, where volunteers pamper and entertain patients.

She also has a vital role in the running of the Carers’ Cabin, which supports the many family carers who have loved-ones in hospital.

Ipswich Star: Stewart Taylor, frailty assessment base administrator. Picture: PAGEPIXStewart Taylor, frailty assessment base administrator. Picture: PAGEPIX (Image: Pagepix Ltd.07976 935738)

Leader of the Year was revealed as Rebecca Walker in recognition of her work on the new pioneering Reactive Emergency Assessment Community Team, which is dedicated to avoiding unnecessary hospital admissions by making sure patients can receive treatment in their own homes.

Sister Suja Varughese who, according to colleagues, leads by example on the Debenham Ward, was also praised.

She is in charge of the ward’s cardiac rehabilitation and endocrine and diabetes patients

Joint winners of the Supporters of the Year award were The Somersham Ward Support Group, which has backed the cancer department and its patients for more than 30 years, and the Baby Bereavement Group, which helps families who have lost a baby.

Ipswich Star: Stewart Taylor, frailty assessment base administrator. Picture: PAGEPIXStewart Taylor, frailty assessment base administrator. Picture: PAGEPIX (Image: Pagepix Ltd.07976 935738)

Inge Nijkamp was also recognised in this category for raising nearly £11,000 to buy a training simulation baby for the hospital’s Neonatal Unit.

Inspired by her daughter’s premature birth, Mrs Nijkamp completed the Marathon Des Sables – 153 miles in the Saharan Desert.

Team of the Year was from the Trauma and Orthopaedic Enhanced Recovery unit.

Led by therapists and nursing staff on Martlesham Ward, the team has revolutionised care for hip and knee replacement patients - reducing length of stay and getting patients back on their feet much sooner.

Ipswich Star: Stewart Taylor, frailty assessment base administrator. Picture: PAGEPIXStewart Taylor, frailty assessment base administrator. Picture: PAGEPIX (Image: Pagepix Ltd.07976 935738)

The Outpatient Parenteral Antimicrobial Therapy team, which gives patients the freedom to be at home while benefitting from acute hospital care, was highly commended.

In its first year, the team, made up of staff from acute medicine, microbiology, pharmacy, the Rushmere medical day unit and community admission prevention, has helped more than 250 patients receive IV antibiotics at home and avoid hospital stays.

Senior hospital coordinator, Theresa Heath, was given the Winifred’s Prize for outstanding contribution.

Nominations for the awards were put forward by staff and patients, and the judging panel included nurses, a doctor, therapists, patients and Ipswich Hospital deputy chief executive, Neill Moloney.

Ipswich Star: Stewart Taylor, frailty assessment base administrator. Picture: PAGEPIXStewart Taylor, frailty assessment base administrator. Picture: PAGEPIX (Image: Pagepix Ltd.07976 935738)

The event sponsors were Kainos, MedeAnayltics, Emma Birchley Media, Castons, Johns Slater and Haward Ipswich, KLH Architects, the MLM Group, and the hospital’s Medical Staff Committee.

Ipswich Star: Stewart Taylor, frailty assessment base administrator. Picture: PAGEPIXStewart Taylor, frailty assessment base administrator. Picture: PAGEPIX (Image: Pagepix Ltd.07976 935738)

Ipswich Star: Stewart Taylor, frailty assessment base administrator. Picture: PAGEPIXStewart Taylor, frailty assessment base administrator. Picture: PAGEPIX (Image: Pagepix Ltd.07976 935738)

Ipswich Star: Stewart Taylor, frailty assessment base administrator. Picture: PAGEPIXStewart Taylor, frailty assessment base administrator. Picture: PAGEPIX (Image: Pagepix Ltd.07976 935738)

Ipswich Star: Stewart Taylor, frailty assessment base administrator. Picture: PAGEPIXStewart Taylor, frailty assessment base administrator. Picture: PAGEPIX (Image: Pagepix Ltd.07976 935738)