CHFT and our Interserve partners have scooped another top award - for our HRI's new chemotherapy and oncology outpatients' centre.
They've scooped the top award at the Committed to Construction In Humber and West Yorkshire award 2017 for the best project under £5m at a ceremony in Leeds. Five other projects were in the final of the category presented to "the organisation with the best delivery of an outstanding building or civil engineering project under £5m."
It was presented by Judith Chalmers' son TV presenter Mark Durden-Smith - pictured - who recognised Paul from last year.
The team sportingly wore Red Noses and our table contributed £175 to the huge Comic Relief fundraiser.
Jackie Swire was invited back and she broke the mould when our interior decor colour palette went upbeat purple and green and very definitely away from usual neutral. The design involved patients who receive their chemotherapy in the unit and also attend there for outpatients appointments. It replaced the old and unfurbished unit next to Ward 3 and was opened to patients in late 2015 by our volunteer Carol Armitage.
** It's the latest in a strong of awards for HRI estates and their Interserve partnership showng how we're working together to provide excellent healthcare facilities for our patients and their families.
Hello my name is… Paul Gilling
I was born in Jamaica and came to the UK at the age of nine and have lived in Huddersfield ever since. I am married with two children. I have been working at this Trust, during all the name changes, for 40 years come August 2017.
I am a man of few words so doing this interview was not easy!
What is your position?
Senior Estates Officer Capital Development
Tell us about your career background?
Following collage, I joined the Trust as an apprentice fitter when I was 17. Working at Storthes Hall for 8 years and the remaining time at HRI and St Luke’s. My role has been varied form looking after autoclaves in the community, main theatres and pathology to leading a project team to reconfigure and upgrade parts of the estate. I worked my way up from the shop floor to a team supervisor, my first step into management was as Trust Redevelopment Officer looking at the development of Acre Mills following acquisition by the Trust in 2000.
What are the best bits about your job?
Variety and helping people. Seeing the expression on people’s faces when they notice the improvements we have made to the estate and environment.
What is the highlight of your career so far?
Being a multiple award winner, including the National Construction Excellence Award twice for Collaboration in 2016 and Value 2015.
Sum up your role in three words?
Storming, norming, performing.
What did you want to be when you were growing up?
Lorry driver.
Who is your hero/heroine and why?
My family. Because without them there wouldn’t be me.
When you are not at work how do you relax?
DIY, mending computers and watching my two sons playing football.
What is your favourite place?
It will always be Jamaica, but I also love Scotland and visiting other parts of the UK.