Bolton’s NHS "healthcare heroes" who went above and beyond the call of duty have been honoured at an award ceremony.
This comes with the latest annual FABB Awards which this year were held at the Last Drop Village Hotel and Spa in Bromley Cross, which was hosted by TV and radio stars Gemma Atkinson and Mike Toolan.
One such winner was medical photographer Paul Messer who picked up a people’s choice award thanks to the kindness he showed to a parents of a baby who was tragically stillborn.
Mr Messer said: “It's hard to find the words, it's something that I feel strongly about. When you're put in that situation I can't help but sympathise with what they are going through.
"It means a lot for me to support all of our families and I feel the grief that they're going through.
"If I can be a small step towards helping them then that means a massive amount to me.”
The Compassionate Care Award was won by care and support practitioner, Thomas Wilding, for his work to support patients with conditions such as dementia, which included creating "Sweeney Tom’s barbershop" to improve patient wellbeing.
Volunteer and full-time carer Beryl Thompson, was named Unsung Hero for her ‘pivotal’ role in making sure patients received their personal items during pandemic era visiting restrictions.
Emmerdale star Gemma Atkinson, who gave birth to her daughter Mia at Royal Bolton Hospital in 2019, said she was thrilled to host the event.
She said: “It's such a privilege to host this celebration, surrounded by people who go to work every day to make a difference to others.
"My birth plan with Mia went out of the window and both of us became quite poorly, but I will never forget the names and faces of the nursing staff around us who helped and looked after us.
"It was a happy ending as we're both now healthy and Mia is thriving.
"Thank you to all of our health heroes across Bolton, this night is all about you.”
Thorrun Govind, from Hempsons, which sponsored the ceremony’s Diversity and Inclusion Award felt that Bolton set an excellent example for other trusts around the country.
He said: “It was fantastic to be at the FABB Awards 2022 to celebrate our health teams who go above and beyond every single day.
"Bolton is a great example of the NHS working as one team. What an amazing set of nominations and congratulations to all of the winners.”
The efforts of the health care heroes have also won plaudits from the NHS’s highest levels.
ALSO READ: Royal Bolton attempts to tackle issue of 35,000 people on waiting list
ALSO READ: Incredible NHS worker uses 'second chance at life' to urge donors to sign up
Trust chief executive Fiona Noden said: “I am always in awe of our incredible staff across the Bolton health and care system, and tonight was another reminder of the positive impact they have on so many people’s lives.
“Despite another challenging twelve months they have continued to make sure communities across Bolton receive the highest level of care with their knowledge, humanity and compassion.
“Congratulations to all of our worthy winners and the hundreds of nominees who continue to make Bolton a truly special place.”
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here