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A FABBulous night as Bolton health and care staff celebrated at FABB Awards 2023
- Hundreds of health and care workers attend 2023 FABB Awards at Toughsheet Community Stadium
- 18 winners chosen from more than 800 nominations
- Tributes paid to Bolton NHS workforce who make a difference in the lives of so many
Hundreds of Bolton’s health and care workers have been celebrated at Bolton NHS Foundation Trust’s annual FABB Awards.
The For A Better Bolton (FABB) Awards recognise the incredible work of those on the frontline, and the staff working behind the scenes, who care for patients and their loved ones day in, day out.
On Friday 24 November, 18 winners were revealed after judges had the difficult job of reading through a record 827 inspirational nominations that had been submitted by staff and patients.
Among those taking home a trophy was People’s Choice Award winner, Sister Mary Hart, who received a standing ovation from the room at the Toughsheet Community Stadium.
One of Mary’s former patients, Joyce, sent in the nomination after she experienced first-hand Mary’s personal and human touch during a stay on the Clinical Decisions Unit (CDU).
In her nomination, Joyce wrote:
Sister Mary Hart looked after me in July this year when I came into hospital having previously collapsed at home.
“I didn’t know where I was for some time, but Mary helped nurse me back to health. She was kind, very knowledgeable, and most of all very caring.
“I was on the CDU ward for five days. I must say that all the staff there were very kind, but especially Mary who showed lots of compassion and nursing excellence. She is a very special lady.
“After a few days when I was feeling better she came in and gave me a hug and said ‘I’m so glad that you’re feeling better now’, which was just a human touch. I appreciated all that you did for me and my husband in those dark, dark days. You’re very much appreciated.
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Staff Nurse, Jason Rutter, won the Unsung Hero Award for his heroic actions when faced with a really challenging situation on his ward, putting the safety of others above himself.
The Faith Facilities Project Team were recognised in the Collaboration Award category, after staff from across the Trust came together to expand the faith facilities offer with a new multi-faith centre and community hub.
The revamped faith facilities at Royal Bolton Hospital are already transforming the wellbeing of staff, patients and their families since opening in March 2023.
Hundreds of worshippers have made use of the new spiritual spaces for prayer and religious events, whilst the community hub has been used for staff meetings and network events.
This year’s Dream Team Award prize went to the Armed Forces Team, who over the past few months have gone above and beyond, in their own time, to provide excellence of care for patients and staff with Armed Forces connections.
Developments include a new process on the Trust’s Electronic Patient Record (EPR) to ensure staff can identify patients who may need additional, appropriate and tailored support, as well as providing support to staff with loved ones in the Armed Forces too.
Through their hard work, the Trust has achieved Armed Forces Covenant silver accreditation, with plans to reach gold status.
Bolton-born actor James Cartwright hosted this year’s event and opened the night with a tribute to those who make a difference in the lives of so many.
I’m a Bolton lad myself, originally from Farnworth. I have so many connections to the hospital, I was born there, as were my mum and dad, my godmother is a serving Healthcare Assistant on Ward G3, and my Aunty Jean has worked there for more than sixty years.
“Quite frankly I wouldn’t be here without Royal Bolton Hospital. The life I’ve lived, surrounded by family and the people who I love so much, would have ceased to even exist.
“I’m just one person, one story, and this is multiplied by tens of thousands of people and patients you care for and keep alive every single year.
“I stand here to personally say how truly grateful I am to all the NHS staff in Bolton, and this is reflected in the record number of nominations to celebrate your sensational work across the hospital and in our communities.
The night saw more than £1,600 raised for Our Bolton NHS Charity through a raffle packed with prizes.
The charity also launched their new fundraising video that showcases how the generous donations of people across Bolton are making a real difference to the lives of Bolton NHS patients and staff.
Fiona Noden, Chief Executive at Bolton NHS Foundation Trust and Bolton Place Based Lead, said:
We would like to say a huge thank you to everyone who joined us at the FABB Awards and to everyone involved in making it such a fabulous celebration.
“The night would not have been possible without the generous support of our sponsors, so I would like to send a special thank you to Core to Cloud, Altera Health, NHS Professionals, University of Bolton, Hempsons and Our Bolton NHS Charity.
“The nominees shine a light on how amazing and dedicated all of our staff are, and it was a real honour for us to be able to recognise the accomplishments of the people we are lucky enough to call our colleagues.
Dr. Niruban Ratnarajah, Chair at Bolton NHS Foundation Trust, added:
It was wonderful to see staff from across the Trust and the locality coming together to celebrate everything that we have achieved during the last year.
“An incredible amount has happened during those twelve months. There have been challenges but many, many successes along the way too and we couldn’t be prouder of Team Bolton.
Congratulations to all of this year’s winners
Compassionate Care Award
Khadija Dar, Diabetes Specialist Nurse
Innovation Award
Janice Robinson, Advanced Nurse Practitioner
People’s Choice Award
Mary Hart, Staff Nurse
Diversity and Inclusion Award
Blandina Mutambirwa, Finance Business Partner
Collaboration Award
Faith Facilities Project Team
Unsung Hero Award
Jason Rutter, Staff Nurse
Special Supporter of the Year Award
Edna Carlisle, Volunteer
Corporate Star Award
Carole Kennedy, Deputy Education Centre Manager
Team Bolton Locality Award
Community Learning Disability Nursing Team
Dream Team Award
Armed Forces Team
FABB Employee of the Year Award
Eveline Mujungwa, Sister
Divisional Diamond(s) Award
Graham Robinson, Advanced Care Practitioner, Acute Adult Care Division
Kim Ashcroft, Ward Manager, Anaesthetics and Surgical Division
Paul Burke, Business Intelligence Team Leader, Corporate Services
Andrew Cooper-Smith, Pharmacy Technician, Diagnostic and Support Services Division
Rosie Connor, Deputy Divisional Director of Operations, Family Care Division
Electrical and Biomedical Engineering (EMBE), iFM
Cheryl Ramsden, Healthcare Assistant, Integrated Community Services Division