A TEAM of healthcare assistants and administrators responsible for ensuring patients are tested for Covid-19 prior to surgery have been crowned winners of July's Health Hero Award at The Robert Jones and Agnes Hunt Orthopaedic Hospital (RJAH).

The pre-op Covid-19 Screening Team is made up Healthcare Assistants Kelly Jones, Joanne Hughes, and Kim Lewis (though Kim has recently moved to a new role in the Main Outpatients Department), as well as administrators Helen Wellings, Leslie Aspey and Ewan Williamson.

They were nominated by Jo-Anne Bidmead, pre-operative assessment unit manager, who says the team have gone above and beyond to ensure shifts are covered and patients are given the best possible chance of surgery.

She said: “The team have worked tirelessly over the past 12 months or so to ensure patients have their pre-admission Covid-19 test, while accommodating the ever-changing infection, prevention and control guidance.

“They have worked as a team to cover shifts, and with other departments in the Trust always keeping the patient at the heart of everything they do.

“A big well done and thank you to the whole team.”

The monthly award is presented to unsung heroes from across the hospital who are nominated by their colleagues for going the extra mile. 

Helen said she was delighted to receive the award from the hospital for the work that they have done on the testing.

She said: “I speak on behalf of the whole team when I say we’re delighted, albeit shocked, to have been crowned the winners of the Health Hero Award for July.

"Thank you to Jo for nominating us.

“We really feel like we’re just doing our day-to-day job.

"It’s been fantastic to have worked as part of the team to ensure we are keeping our patients safe through Covid-19 testing.”

The team were presented with their award, consisting of a keepsake certificate, special badge and box of chocolates – donated by the League of Friends – by Stacey Keegan, chief executive. 

Stacey said: “The testing regime has been a lifeline for the hospital throughout the Covid-19 pandemic, ensuring that our patients and staff are as safe as possible.

“This wouldn’t have been possible without the hard work and dedication of the screening team.

"They are extremely worthy winners of the Health Hero Award.”