Hundreds of the borough's health and care workers have been celebrated at an annual awards ceremony.

Bolton NHS Foundation Trust’s "For a Better Bolton" Awards recognise the work of those on the frontline, and the staff working behind the scenes, who care for patients and their loved one’s day in, day out.

On Friday, November 24, 18 winners were revealed after judges had the difficult job of reading through a record 827 inspirational nominations that had been submitted by staff and patients.

Among those taking home a trophy was People’s Choice Award winner, Sister Mary Hart, who received a standing ovation from the room at the Toughsheet Community Stadium.

One of Mary’s former patients, Joyce, sent in the nomination after she experienced her personal touch during a stay on the clinical decisions unit (CDU).

In her nomination, Joyce wrote: “Sister Mary Hart looked after me in July this year when I came into hospital having previously collapsed at home.

“I didn’t know where I was for some time, but Mary helped nurse me back to health. She was kind, very knowledgeable, and most of all very caring.

“I was on the CDU ward for five days. I must say that all the staff there were very kind, but especially Mary who showed lots of compassion and nursing excellence. She is a very special lady.

“After a few days when I was feeling better, she came in and gave me a hug and said, ‘I’m so glad that you’re feeling better now’, which was just a human touch.

“I appreciated all that you did for me and my husband in those dark, dark days. You’re very much appreciated.”

Staff nurse Jason Rutter won the Unsung Hero Award for his heroic actions when faced with a really challenging situation on his ward, putting the safety of others above himself.

The faith facilities project team were recognised in the Collaboration Award category, after staff from across the trust came together to expand the faith facilities offer with a new multi-faith centre and community hub.

The revamped faith facilities at Royal Bolton Hospital are already transforming the wellbeing of staff, patients, and their families since opening in March.

Hundreds of worshippers have made use of the new spiritual spaces for prayer and religious events, whilst the community hub has been used for staff meetings and network events.

This year’s Dream Team Award prize went to the armed forces team, who over the past few months have gone above and beyond, in their own time, to provide excellence of care for patients and staff with Armed Forces connections.

Developments include a new process on the Trust’s Electronic Patient Record (EPR) to ensure staff can identify patients who may need additional, appropriate, and tailored support, as well as providing support to staff with loved ones in the Armed Forces too.

Through their hard work, the trust has achieved Armed Forces Covenant silver accreditation, with plans to reach gold status.

Bolton-born actor James Cartwright hosted this year’s event and opened the night with a tribute to those who make a difference in the lives of so many.

He said: “I’m a Bolton lad myself, originally from Farnworth. I have so many connections to the hospital, I was born there, as were my mum and dad, my godmother is a serving healthcare assistant on Ward G3, and my auntie Jean has worked there for more than sixty years.

“Quite frankly I wouldn’t be here without Royal Bolton Hospital. The life I’ve lived, surrounded by family and the people who I love so much, would have ceased to even exist.

“I’m just one person, one story, and this is multiplied by tens of thousands of people and patients you care for and keep alive every single year.

“I stand here to personally say how truly grateful I am to all the NHS staff in Bolton, and this is reflected in the record number of nominations to celebrate your sensational work across the hospital and in our communities.”

The night saw more than £1,600 raised for Our Bolton NHS Charity through a raffle packed with prizes.

Fiona Noden, chief executive at Bolton NHS Foundation Trust and Bolton place based lead, said: “We would like to say a huge thank you to everyone who joined us at the FABB Awards and to everyone involved in making it such a fabulous celebration.

“The night would not have been possible without the generous support of our sponsors, so I would like to send a special thank you to Core to Cloud, Altera Health, NHS Professionals, University of Bolton, Hempsons and Our Bolton NHS Charity.

“The nominees shine a light on how amazing and dedicated all of our staff are, and it was a real honour for us to be able to recognise the accomplishments of the people we are lucky enough to call our colleagues.”

Dr. Niruban Ratnarajah, chair at Bolton NHS Foundation Trust, added: “It was wonderful to see staff from across the trust and the locality coming together to celebrate everything that we have achieved during the last year.

“An incredible amount has happened during those 12 months. There have been challenges but many, many successes along the way too and we couldn’t be prouder of Team Bolton.”

If you have a story or something you would like to highlight in the community, please email me at chloe.wilson@newsquest.co.uk or DM me on X @chloewjourno.