HMR Star Award winners

The Fallon family present Dr Mark Mudalige of Ashworth Street Surgery with the Nancy Fallon Memorial Award

Pat Fallon and his three daughters, Brenda, Paula and Susan, presented the Nancy Fallon Memorial Award to Dr Mark Mudalige, of Ashworth Street Surgery at last night’s HMR Star (Special Thanks and Recognition) Awards at the Norton Grange.

The Fallon family, from Shawclough, presented Dr Mudalige with the award for the care he provided during their late wife/mum's two-year battle with dementia.

Mr Fallon said: “It was a very emotional evening for all of us, but we are delighted to have been able to say a proper thank you to Dr Mudalige for all the care he provided to my mum and us during her illness. We really feel he’s one-in-a-million and has gone far beyond that extra mile. He’s compassionate and humble and was born to be a GP.”

The special award followed the presentation of five other awards, including the People’s Star which was open to public nominations.

The winners were:

• People’s Star 2014 – Margaret Tunstall, Healthcare Assistant at Birtle View Medical Practice
  Margaret Tunstall received nominations from 11 different patients, one of whom, described her as being a credit to the practice and always there for people. Nothing is too much trouble. She is friendly and people can talk to her about anything. Patients have been impressed with her knowledge and information. 
  
  
• Shining Star 2014 – Charlotte Booth, Senior Commissioning Programme Manager
  Charlotte’s role involves commissioning healthcare services for the Rochdale borough. She is described as a team player who consistently works hard to deliver the commissioning intentions of the CCG. She is always willing to support colleagues and when she says she will do something, you know she will do it. 
  
  
• Silent Star 2014 – Hazel Chamberlain, Designated Nurse, Children's Safeguarding
  Hazel’s role involves managing the team which safeguards children and adults across the borough. She is described as extremely knowledgeable, supportive and helpful, carrying out her responsibilities professionally, with care and attention whilst working in a difficult environment, involving some very sensitive issues. 
  
  
• Innovation Star 2014 – Dr Stockton and Thompson Practice for the system alerts project
  The Middleton practice developed a new alerting system which has enabled it to increase its uptake in all areas of enhanced service activity since its implementation and has contributed towards achieving high uptake rates for chlamydia screening and the under and over 65s flu vaccination programmes. 
  
  
• Star Team 2014 – the locality engagement officers (Sarah Hickman, Kate Hudson and Amy Williams)
  The locality engagement officers (LEOs) are the link between GP practices and the CCG. They are described as working hard, coordinating their work to help GPs manage their everyday lives better. They are a very good liaison between GPs and the CCG and are always cheerful and, above all, helpful. 

Dr Chris Duffy, local GP and chairman of HMR CCG, compered the proceedings and said: “I’ve been very impressed during our first year as a CCG with the work that has been done under challenging circumstances.

"The HMR Star Awards gives us the chance to say thank you properly – something that can often be missed in the hustle and bustle of getting the day-to-day job done.

“All our winners are very deserving and it was a pleasure to host such a positive event. However, helping patients across the borough, particularly at difficult times, is what it’s all about, so the Nancy Fallon Memorial Award and the family’s story was a particularly poignant point of the evening.”

The HMR Star Awards will become an annual event, with the intention that the Nancy Fallon Memorial Award will be presented in honour of special achievement or care provided each year.