The time is nearly upon us to see which of the fully-deserved porters, porter management and portering teams which have been shortlisted for their respective categories at a national portering awards ceremony, have made it from finalists to winners.
Taking place in central London on 24 February, the MyPorter Awards will see six awards presented to the finalists from across the country who made the judges shortlist, having been placed on it during a rigorous process which saw over 100 nominations whittled down by guest judges Emma Brookes, Head of Soft FM Strategy and Operation and Philip Shelley, Senior Operational & Policy Manager Soft FM at NHS England & Improvements.
The broad range of entries showed just why the NHS porters deserve to be honoured and praised with their own moment in the spotlight. Nominations ranged from youngsters showing great courage and maturity beyond their years’ to the experienced old heads, detailed in their nominations as huge characters that all the patients know and love, with those due for retirement set to “leave a huge hole in the hearts of patients and the Trust itself” and told how their departure from the role will be “like the ravens leaving the Tower of London”, which ironically is opposite where the MyPorter Awards will take place.
There are many stories which have been received through the awards nominations which showcase the broad range of qualities often shown by porters. Some are known for serenading patients, others make patients smile, laugh or become a shoulder to cry on. Some nominations note how porters often go above and beyond, take on extra duties not required of them, are naturally just a helpful bunch – taking on security duties, helping delivery drivers load/unload, acting as PPE guardians and in some circumstances even protecting the nurses from aggressive patients.
A live conference during the day will see the porters hear guest speakers talk to them about mental health and wellbeing, team work and portering peers talking best practice. Guests will then be dining with a three-course meal before the live awards ceremony celebrating the great work done by these unsung heroes of the NHS.
The shortlist for the six categories are:
Newcomer of The Year Award – shortlist:
- Kenneth Mcintyre - Royal Berkshire
- Kevin Smith - Cambridge University Hospitals (Addenbrookes)
- Tracy Banford – Sandwell & West Birmingham Hospitals NHS Trust
- Thomas Foulkes – University Hospital of the North Midlands
Leadership of The Year Award – shortlist:
- Alison Carter – Stoke Mandeville - Buckinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust
- Mark Turner – CHoICE (Sunderland)
- Joseph Ryan – Stepping Hill Hospital - Stockport NHS Foundation Trust
- Zaheer Iqbal – Sandwell & West Birmingham Hospitals NHS Trust
Outstanding Contribution to Patient Experience Award – shortlist:
- Ian Butler – Milton Keynes University Hospital
- Trevor Knight – William Harvey Hospital
- Radiology Ultrasound Porters Team Addenbrookes Hospital
- Darren Davies – University Hospital Coventry and Warwickshire
Portering Team of The Year Award – shortlist:
- The Radiology Porter Team at The James Cook University Hospital (South Tees)
- Alan Shepherd & team – Royal Berkshire
- Portering Team at East and North Herts NHS Trust
- L2 DSU Portering Team – Cambridge University Hospitals
Dennis Southern Award – For Endeavour – shortlist:
- Ken Grant – Cambridge University Hospitals (Addenbrookes)
- Nigel Close – University Hospital Coventry and Warwickshire
- Keith Bellfield – CHoICE (Sunderland)
- John Shaw – Southport & Ormskirk Hospitals NHS Trust
MyPorter Award 2021 – shortlist:
- Naga Vejandla – East and North Hertfordshire NHS Trust
- John Roe – Sheffield Children’s Hospital
- Leon Hill – Gloucestershire Royal Hospital
- Matthew Wood – Tunbridge Wells Hospital
