UHNM Chief Executive Award Winner: Estates and Facilities Division

Teams from across University Hospitals of North Midlands NHS Trust's (UHNM) Estates and Facilities division have received praise for keeping the Royal Stoke University Hospital running as it should during a "challenging" winter. 

December and January brought with them a series of conditions and events in a short period of time, with storm damage and burst water pipes adding to the impact of significant snowfall and a prolonged cold weather spell.

Those involved in keeping patient disruption to a minimum have been recognised with the Chief Executive Award by Dr Simon Constable, UHNM chief executive. 

Dr Constable said: "Last winter presented some technical issues and environmental conditions for our etates teams to overcome, and I wanted to express my sincere thanks to members of UHNM's estates workshop, engineering, building and joinery, gardening and management teams, whose skills, knowledge and dedication were shown in abundance throughout to quickly to mitigate any impact on our patients and staff." 

There was also chance to thank the efforts of UHNM's partner organisations, who joined staff from across the division for a special award presentation at the Royal Stoke, which included refreshments and cakes provided personally as a thank you by Lorriane Whitehead, director of estates, facilities and PFI, and Dave Ruscoe, deputy director of estates, facilities and PFI. 

Lorriane said: "This award demonstrates what we do doesn’t go unnoticed. Whilst it was a challenging period to go through from an estates perspective, the degree of knowledge, skills, competence and teamwork that was brought together ensured that our patients were not adversely affected, all this the support of our incredible partners.”

Dave said: "It was a collective effort, and whilst times it proved demanding, our teams responded to any challenges both fantastically well and professionally.”

Keith Griffiths, a maintenance craftsperson, was part of the team involved in keeping the Royal Stoke's pipework and heating up and running.

Keith said: "I’m immensely proud. Everybody had a job to do, and we all played our part. From the top management through to the workshop, everybody was involved in keeping the hospital warm." 

Simon White, Estates maintenance manager, said: "This winter was one of the most challenging times in the 16 years I've worked at UHNM.

“But the teamwork, experience and knowledge that came together during those weeks over winter was phenomenal. Even at 11pm at night after a long day, nobody was going home until everything was up and running as it should be." 

During the award presentation, UHNM colleagues were joined by Stuart Parish, 83, from North Staffordshire Pipes Ltd, who has worked as a contractor for 62 years.   

Stuart said, "I enjoy my work and have done hundreds of jobs for UHNM since 1963. It's nice to get the recognition, I knew almost everybody in the room, UHNM's estates team are excellent people."

Mark Jones, R&M Mechanical Ltd said: "At times the weather was really bad, but we all worked together and pulled through. The estates team were brilliant, they all help each other, and we all work together as a team. We don't expect anything like this award, but it is nice to get recognised every now and again."