STAFF from Fairfield Hospital have been recognised at a special awards ceremony.

The High Dependency Unit staff were awarded at the Pennine Acute Hospitals NHS Trust's seventh annual staff awards.

The HDU team won the Patients' Choice Award, voted for by the public and patients.

Dr Andy Drummond, consultant in intensive care and anaesthesia on the unit, said: "The ward manager for critical care at Fairfield General Hospital, Andrew Dodman, and I were delighted that our team won the Patients' Choice award.

"We feel this reflects very well on the efforts all staff, medical, nursing and allied health professionals , have made to improve the quality of care delivered in ITU at Fairfield.

"We and all the staff would like to take this opportunity to thank the family that took the time to nominate and thank us for the care of their relative during the difficult time of their loss."

The public were invited to nominate any nurse, doctor, midwife, therapist, receptionist or other member of staff who had looked after them during an outpatient visit, day treatment or overnight, or longer hospital stay.

The HDU team were described as displaying outstanding care, compassion and understanding.

Other winners from the hospital were advanced physiotherapy practitioner Deborah Bancroft who was chosen as the winner of the Leading by Example Award; sister Ann Mcllwraith who won the Outstanding Contribution to the Quality of Care Award and Tyrone Supatan won the Support Worker of the Year Award.

Trust chief executive, Sir David Dalton, said: "The trust's staff awards is a wonderful celebration of the great things our staff do and achieve, and an important formal recognition of our staff and volunteers who have not only lived and delivered the trust values, but who have gone the extra mile and shown exceptional skills, care and compassion.

"This is a highlight in the trust's calendar to recognise the efforts, contribution and achievements of staff at all levels across our hospitals and community services.

"This event is a fitting way to say well done and thank you."

The full list of award winners and more details can be found online www.pat.nhs.uk