Patients are being encouraged to celebrate the efforts of dedicated NHS staff at The Robert Jones and Agnes Hunt Orthopaedic Hospital (RJAH) during the pandemic by putting them forward for a special Patient Choice Award.

The Oswestry-based hospital is seeking nominations from patients and their loved ones to highlight the efforts of its caring and compassionate staff for its RJAH Stars 2020 Awards.

We want to know has one of our people, or one of our teams, really made a difference to you over the past year? If so, help us celebrate them by nominating them for our Patient Choice Award.

The constraints as a result of the coronavirus pandemic mean that we cannot safely hold our usual Celebration of Achievement Awards event but there was no way we were going to let the hard work of all our staff go by without recognition in this year of all years – and it is that reason that we are proud to introduce instead the RJAH Stars 2020. This year instead of our usual awards, we will instead be presenting gift hampers to winners, with support from the hospital’s League of Friends.

Seven of the award categories will be nominated for by Trust staff but members of the public are invited to thank an individual staff member or even a whole team by putting them forward for the Patient Choice Award.

Stacey Keegan, Acting Chief Executive, said: “Our amazing staff have risen to the many challenges that covid-19 has presented, going absolutely above and beyond to deliver world-class patient care.

“The RJAH Stars 2020 Awards will help us to show our appreciation for our people’s efforts and celebrate their resilience in responding to the pandemic.

“I would ask any patient or relative, past or present, who has used our services and been particularly struck by the care they received from one of our members of staff, to consider nominating them for this award. This can be pre or during the pandemic.

“We’re inviting you to say special thank you by nominating someone for this award. Maybe you want to celebrate one of our doctors, nurses or physios for your care or perhaps you want to tell us about a non-clinical member of our teams who has gone out of their way to support you. Whatever your story, and whatever your reason, please get in touch and let us know.

“We will go through all the nominations and compile a shortlist – and give the public the chance to vote on that shortlist to select the winner.”

If you or a family member has been a patient at RJAH, you can nominate a staff member in one of the following ways:

By email to: rjah.awards@nhs.net under the subject line ‘Patient Choice Award’.

Alternatively, in writing to:

Patient Choice Award nomination

Trust Offices

The Robert Jones and Agnes Hunt Orthopaedic Hospital

Oswestry

SY10 7AG

Please tell us the name of the individual or team you would like to nominate and, where known, the individual’s job title or department. Please also include the reason you are nominating them for this award – include as much detail as possible in order to help your nomination stand out at the shortlisting stage.

Up to four individuals and teams will be selected to go forward as finalists in a public vote, with the eventual winner receiving their award

People have until Monday 14 September to submit their nominations.

You can also find more information on the Trust website at www.rjah.nhs.uk/RJAHstars

Pictured: From left, Sarah Kaye, Oswald Ward Sister; Pip Page-Davies, Staff Nurse; Gail Richards, Ward Clerk; and Lynda Williams, Healthcare Assistant.