Members of North Yorkshire and York Community and Mental Health Services reach finals of Great North Care Awards (From York Press)

Members of North Yorkshire and York Community and Mental Health Services reach finals of Great North Care Awards

10:47am Saturday 21st November 2009

• Print
• Email
• Share
• Comments(1)

UNSUNG heroes of the health world who devote their working lives to helping those battling mental illness have been lauded for their efforts.

Members of North Yorkshire and York Community and Mental Health Services took their turn in the spotlight when they reached the finals of the Great North Care Awards.

Four of the team beat tough competition from more than 360 award entries across the north of England to get to the final stages, and their dedication and love of caring was rewarded as they each picked up runners-up prizes in a string of categories.

Sam Bradley, from the service’s speech and language therapy sector, was applauded in the Dignity In Care Award section, while his colleague, Jude Timmis, from Peppermill Court Older People’s Mental Health Unit in York – who also works with the King’s Fund independent healthcare charity – made it to the finals of the Outstanding Contribution To Health And Social Care area.

Meanwhile, accolades also went to Claire McDiarmid from the Meadowfields Older People’s Mental Health Unit in the Dementia Care Award and Stuart Jackson of York’s Early Intervention Team, who was among the finalists in the Care Home Activity Organiser Award. The service was also runner-up in the Care Employer Of The Year Award.

The winners were announced at the Great North Care Awards ceremony at the National Railway Museum in York, with the prizes being presented by television personality Hardeep Singh Kohli and BBC Look North presenter Harry Gration. Each category contained five candidates.

Janet Probert, managing director for North Yorkshire and York Community and Mental Health Services, said: “I am so proud of Jude, Claire, Stuart, Sam and their teams for such a wonderful achievement. Awards like this are a fantastic way in which our staff can receive positive recognition for the unwavering and high-quality care they provide every day for patients in North Yorkshire and York.

“I send my huge congratulations to everybody and I look forward to next year’s awards.”

The ceremony was hosted by the Independent Care Group together with NHS North Yorkshire and York, North Yorkshire County Council and the Skills for Care initiative.

• Print
• Email
• Share
• Comments(1)