Soap star to host Pennine Acute staff awards

Sally Lindsay

The stage is being set for the Pennine Acute Hospitals NHS Trust’s first Staff Awards to be hosted by actress and ex Coronation Street barmaid, Sally Lindsay.

The awards event consists of the following 12 categories which recognise the very best of patient care, dedication and innovation within the hospital Trust, which includes Rochdale Infirmary

• Front line team of the year 
• Award for outstanding contribution to patient care/safety 
• Rising star award 
• Support function team of the year 
• Skills Award 
• Manager of the year 
• Award for innovation 
• Nurse or midwife of the year 
• Hospital doctor of the year 
• Professional or technical worker of the year 
• Support worker of the year 
• Administrative or secretarial worker of the year

All staff nominations are now in for each category. The final winners will be announced at a glittering awards ceremony at the Manchester City Stadium on 1 July, hosted by Sally Lindsay.

She said: “I'm delighted to have been asked to present the Pennine Acute NHS Trust Awards on 1 July. Sometimes it is easy to take for granted the care and attention of the people in whom we place our trust to look after those we love when they are seriously ill. Perhaps working 'behind the scenes' as well as those in the public eye, the people to whom I shall be delighted to be able present awards on this special evening are those whose innovation and inspiration has worked to improve the quality and safety of patient care. These are people who truly deserve awards!”

Sally, born in Manchester, is best known for playing the role of barmaid Shelley Unwin in ITV1 soap Coronation Street. Since leaving Coronation Street Lindsay has concentrated on work in the theatre.

Roger Pickering, director of human resources at the Trust, added: “We depend on our staff to deliver high quality and effective services across all our hospitals. All of our staff contribute daily to our success and it’s due to this contribution that we are able to provide the best care for every patient. We also know that amongst you there are real some shining stars. These are the people who go the extra mile, come up with innovative ideas or simply make our Trust a more welcoming and friendly place. This extra contribution is invaluable and it is right that we recognise and celebrate individuals and teams that go that extra mile.

“We are delighted to have Sally help us host the final awards event next month and we are also grateful to our corporate sponsors without whom these awards would not be possible. I wish all nominations the best of luck.”

The Pennine Acute Trust employs around 10,000 staff and runs Fairfield General Hospital in Bury, North Manchester General Hospital, The Royal Oldham Hospital and Rochdale Infirmary.