Royal Surrey celebrates its stars of 2019 | News

A nurse who shows ‘complete understanding and dedication’ to children with diabetes and their families has been named a Royal Surrey Star.

Paediatric Diabetes Nurse Specialist Nigel Thorpe, received a staggering eight nominations for our annual staff awards and was commended for his efforts to prevent admissions to hospital.

Parent Kate Gambles, whose 13-year-old son, Edward, is one of Nigel’s patients, said: “Nigel is an exceptional man, who goes out of his way to spend time reassuring my son over his diabetes, he is always calming, knowledgeable, compassionate, kind and funny.

“My son can be anxious about his diabetes and Nigel always manages to reassure him and he trusts him implicitly, as we do.”  

Another parent added: “Nigel is an amazing human being.

“He nurses my six-year-old diabetic son any time day or night.

“Nigel has complete understanding and dedication not only to his young patients but their families.”

This was one of fifteen awards handed out on the night and the Trust received the greatest number of award nominations in the events history, with over 600 nominations being submitted by staff and patients.

Chilworth Day Unit was named the Trust’s Team of the Year after facilitating changes in the department with positivity and resilience. 

The winners were praised for their ‘kindness and respect’ and for ‘working tirelessly to ensure that patients receiving chemotherapy or related treatments receive efficient, compassionate and safe care.’

Razan Altarsha, Medicines Management Technician within the Pharmacy team, was named the Trust’s employee of the year after being praised for ‘putting everyone before herself.’

Her citation commented that, ‘Razan puts everyone before herself - patients and colleagues. She is the first on the ward in the morning and last to leave.

‘She completes medication reconciliations to a high standard and raises concerns about patient’s health and wellbeing, even when they are not pharmaceutically related.’

Chief Executive Louise Stead said: “The NHS is facing increasing challenges and we know that our dedicated, compassionate, hard-working teams manage these pressures 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

“This year the response from patients and staff has been quite incredible with a record number of nominations.

“The sheer strength of feeling about those they have seen going above and beyond the call of duty is humbling.

“All of the finalists and winners demonstrate outstanding care and commitment and make this trust something that the whole community can be proud of.”

The event took place at the Harbour Hotel in Guildford with platinum sponsors being Dell CDW and Medirest.

Gareth Donaldson, Contract Director for Medirest said: “Medirest are honoured to have the opportunity to support the Trust recognising its fantastic people who ensure every patient is treated with the best care possible every day.”

Matt Johnson, from Dell, commented on why they partnered with CDW to sponsor the event.

He said: “From an NHS perspective, there are many unsung heroes tending to our communities 24/7/365, it's key that as a trusted supplier (alongside CDW), we go the extra mile and support the trust in recognizing its staff and the incredible work they do, year in, year out.”

The evening was also supported by Eagle Radio, Gidden Place, Hempson’s, Hill Dickinson, K2, Pulse, Team Prevent, University of Surrey, Verse one and Wilsons. 

Click here to view a short clip of some of the evening’s highlights.