Our Surgical Assessment Unit picked up the Must Dos Award for adopting a “kindness culture”. 

Ward Manager, Fran Howland, held back the tears when the team collected the Award, saying: "We just love what we do and each other. We're lucky as managers to represent such amazing people. Like Brendan said, it's challenging, but you wouldn't know that.

"I'm genuinely emotional right now. I work with amazing people. Every single one of them comes in every day with the biggest smile.

"But it's not down to Emma (Armitage) and I. It's every single person we work with, from our domestics, to ward clerks and amazing healthcare assistants and apprentices. Every single person is a piece in the puzzle.

"I sound like a broken record, but I can't imagine choosing a different career to what I do."

Their nominee said: “This team are passionate, happy and supportive and welcome patients and colleagues with open arms. Kindness culture runs through their veins, which they say is infectious (the good kind!). The team has had multiple visits from national and international colleagues as they are recognised as an outstanding area of excellence amongst the ambulatory care network.” 

Congratulations to our other finalists; Asif Ahmed, Arley Byrne, Critical Care Team and Thomas Whittle.