Hospital heroes – from doctors and nurses to support staff and volunteers – have been celebrated at an awards ceremony.

The East and North Hertfordshire NHS Trust, which runs Lister Hospital in Stevenage, held its annual Celebration of Excellence awards earlier this month, designed to recognise those who give outstanding levels of patient care.

In the Public Nomination Award, the senior play specialist, Marilyn Goodhew, and the rheumatology team at Lister were celebrated for their efforts.

Elsewhere at Lister, award winners included: Jill Payne, medical secretary for respiratory service, with the Support Service Award; the midwife-led unit and consultant plastic surgeon Fred Schreuder for the Patient Experience Award; the renal satellite project team for the Team Award; consultant anaesthetist Tim Walker and carers lead Leanne Welch for the Continuous Improvement Award; and senior sister Tania Taylor for the Team Leader Award. The Volunteers Award went to the Sew Dementia team – with people making activity blankets to stimulate dementia patients – and to Jim Khan for his work with PALS, the Patient Advice and Liaison Service.

The Fundraising Award went to Camilla Hamilton for her support of the neonatal unit, and to Kerry Duggan for her support of the chemotherapy Forster Suite.

At the awards ceremony on November 14, 45 staff at the NHS trust were recognised for completing 25 years of service, while 15 volunteers were commended for their support for the past 20 years.

Nick Carver, chief executive of the NHS trust, said: “At a time, quite rightly, when the NHS is under a great deal of scrutiny and pressure, it is more important than ever to make sure our doctors, nurses and support staff know the work they do and their devotion to patients is valued.

“In addition to nominations made by staff, members of the public took the time to write in with their nominations and the stories they told were very moving. One patient told how Fred Shreuder, consultant plastic surgeon, saved her arm following an accident. She still has the use of her arm, despite terrible injuries, and says she will be eternally grateful to him. Stories like this are humbling to hear, and provide a great opportunity to remind ourselves we can be proud of our local hospital and the people who make such a tremendous difference to patients’ lives.”