TWO members of staff at Okehampton Community Hospital have been recognised for their hard work and dedication during a controversial period of cutbacks at an NHS awards ceremony.

Senior nurse Anne Wilson, who oversees care at the hospital, won for the extra-mile team award with east Devon-based colleague Emma Bagwell, while Okehampton heathcare assistant Jo Wilson scooped the excellent care award.

They were honoured at the Extraordinary People Awards made by the Royal Devon and Exeter NHS Foundation Trust (RD&E) which oversees community hospital services in Devon.

Emma and Anne, who between them manage inpatient care across seven community hospitals, were recognised for their efforts at a time when community hospitals across Devon were being hit by major cutbacks.

The two women were nominated by Diane Walker, RD&E community services’ assistant director of nursing, who said: ‘Emma and Anne’s commitment and dedication to providing our patients with excellent care is second to none. These qualities are evident in all that they do but particularly so over this current period of organisational change across community inpatient services.

‘Despite being affected by the changes themselves, Emma and Anne always put their patients and staff first and have shown great leadership with their professionalism, compassion and humour. They have worked tirelessly – giving their time, day and night – to support staff through this process, using their creativity to enable their teams to think about the possibilities and opportunities whilst maintaining the services’ safe, high-quality standards.’

Jo Wilson, who works at Okehampton Community Hospital was described as ‘one in a million’ by physiotherapist Amy Souster who put her forward for the excellent care award.

‘Jo’s compassion and dedication to her job is outstanding,’ said Amy. ‘She spends so much of her time building trust with patients which really makes a difference. From assisting with clinics such as physiotherapy right through to helping people get their confidence back with everyday tasks, Jo makes a huge contribution to getting them back home and on their road to wellbeing.’ 

The awards ceremony, which was hosted by trust chairman James Brent, took place at Wonford hospital in Exeter on Wednesday, June 28, and was attended by the winners and those who nominated them. There were 12 award winners in total.