NHS staff have been honoured at Southport and Ormskirk Hospital NHS Trust’s annual awards.  Ten honours were presented in the Time to Shine Awards at Formby Hall Golf Resort and Spa.

Award nominees were shortlisted from nominations by colleagues at the Trust. The People’s Health Hero Award, however, was selected from staff nominated by patients and visitors. It went to the Hospital Alcohol Liaison Team (HALT), based in the emergency department at Southport hospital.

The team were picked as clear winners thanks to some incredible, heartfelt nominations:

“The HALT team helped me overcome my long battle with alcoholism. They never gave up on me and always treated me with compassion and respect. Their knowledge, skills and support are lifesavers.  Without them, I don’t like to think where I would be today…they saved my life and put my family back together…I can’t praise them enough.”

Another said: “Having been a patient of the HALT team for a number of years, I cannot fault them at all.   The continued support of Mandy, Becky, Kate, Steph, and anybody else I’ve forgotten, along with the friendliness, professionalism, and empathy which is tailored to each individual patient is second to none.   Trying to abstain from alcohol has been one of the hardest things that I have ever had to face. But the team stood by me, and let me call them up and talk about anything and everything, without it causing a problem, and without them, I certainly wouldn’t be here today.”

Therese Patten, deputy chief executive said: “What a fantastic night.  Congratulations to all of those nominated, shortlisted and of course the winners.

“This is such a good opportunity to celebrate the everyday excellence of NHS workers, I would like to offer a heartfelt thank you to all for the exceptional care and professionalism delivered every day. ”