HEALTH workers in Bolton have been nominated for an award due to their inclusivity and welcoming nature during the time Royal Navy colleagues worked in the borough.

Bolton NHS Foundation Trust has been nominated by Royal Navy colleagues to receive an award from The Naval Regional Commander Northern England, Commodore Phillip Waterhouse.

The award has been given for the way the staff across the borough have been so inclusive and welcoming, and for making their experience at the Royal Bolton Hospital so positive.

A trust spokesman said: "Thirty members from the Royal Navy were welcomed into the Bolton family, and they are now leaving us.

"They made such a difference to both our patients and our staff.

"Thank you for all your help, it has been bittersweet."

Speaking about the nomination, Victoria Fletcher-Simm, a sister at the trust, said: "It has been a wonderful experience working with our Royal Navy colleagues who stepped in to help us at a time when we needed them most.

"They really embraced working here and settled in really well with our teams.

"We will be sad to see them go as they have been such a big support, but we are honoured to be nominated for the award from The Naval Regional Commander Northern England, Commodore Phillip Waterhouse.”

Lieutenant Kelly, from the Royal Navy, said the experience has been really eye-opening for them.

He said: "The hospitality of everyone at the hospital has been outstanding and I can’t thank you enough for how accommodating and friendly everyone has been.

"It has genuinely been eye opening for everyone that has been sent up here and they have taken a lot away from the experience."

The armed forces personnel were drafted into the hospital to help it through what it has described as a 'challenging period.'

Military medics assisted NHS staff with patient care and general duty personnel supported with tasks such as maintaining stocks, checking in patients on arrival and conducting basic checks.

The Government announced in January the military would be stationed in hospitals to help in the battle against Omicron, which was leading to large number of absences in the NHS.