Olympic Champion to host Pennine Acute Trust Staff Awards 2011

Sally Gunnell

British Olympic champion and TV presenter Sally Gunnell OBE has been confirmed as this year’s special guest to host Pennine Acute Trust’s Staff Awards 2011.

The awards consist of 12 categories which recognise the very best of patient care, dedication and innovation among staff within the five hospitals run by the Trust. Nominations for awards are put forward by Trust staff only. The awards include:

• 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 have been invited to nominate an individual or team for each category. The final winners will be announced at a special awards ceremony at the City of Manchester Stadium on 12 July 2011, hosted by Sally Gunnell.

Sally Gunnell OBE has a special place in the nation’s hearts as one of Britain’s most popular female sportspeople. She is the only woman ever to hold four major track titles concurrently – Olympic, World, European and Commonwealth. Following her retirement from international athletics, Sally has developed her career as a television presenter and motivational speaker.

Roger Pickering, director of human resources at The Pennine Acute Trust, said: "Building on the success of last year, the Trust is receiving staff nominations and planning for this year’s Staff Awards 2011.

"The awards is a key part of the Trust celebrating success and recognising best practice across all sites and departments. In particular, the event is an opportunity to recognise and celebrate those individuals who go that extra mile to deliver high quality services and excellent patient care or come up with innovative ideas.

"We are delighted to have Sally help us host the final awards event in July and we are also grateful to our corporate sponsors without whom these awards would not be possible. I wish all our staff nominees every luck.”

The Awards are fully paid for from sponsorship by external companies. The event is being supported by NG Bailey, Weightmans LLP, Securitas, G2 Speech, ISoft, Vinci Construction UK Ltd, Oldham College and Corporate Design Company (CDC).