WHO CARES WINS
Everyday heroes of our NHS reduce star-studded crowd to tears on emotional night at The Sun’s 2019 health awards
A STAR-studded crowd were reduced to tears by the everyday heroes of our NHS on an emotional night at The Sun's health awards.
Celebrities and politicians turned out to honour the health service and hear a series of inspiring tales from its workers and volunteers, last night.
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Five-year-old Ronnie Musselwhite brought the audience to tears as he thanked the "best big sister in the world" for nominating him.
The young Spurs fan bravely offered to give his sister Ebonie a bone marrow transplant last year after docs said he was a perfect match.
Eight-year-old Ebonie, of Crawley, West Sussex, had leukaemia and it was her only hope.
But, she passed away at the age of eight in June - but not before nominating her little brother for the award.
Penny Lancaster broke down as she handed Ronnie the Young Hero gong last night.
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Boris Johnson, who was also at the awards, praised the "world class" staff, doctors and nurses, adding they have the "fanatical support" of No 10.
The Prime Minister said: "My experience of the NHS is like everybody in this room - it's one of devotion, admiration and love.
"It's the most extraordinary institution in the world and it brings our country together.
"If our country was a complicated omelette, the NHS is the egg white that holds the great British cake together.
"It is a uniquely British thing."
It's the most extraordinary institution in the world and it brings our country together
Boris Johnson
He presented the award for Ultimate Lifesaver to NHS porters Nick Evans and Ruth Lowe after they saved a seven-week-old baby Logan Clifford.
The baby boy stopped breathing as his parents Sarah and Mike walked through the main entrance of the Princess Royal Hospital in Telford to visit a sick relative.
Ruth shouted for her colleague Nick who grabbed Logan out of his mum's arms and performed CPR as he ran down the corridor to A&E.
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The Sun's Who Cares Wins awards is a chance to give recognition to the selfless medics, researchers, and volunteers who've made a difference to people's lives.
Tony Gallagher, The Sun's editor, welcomed guests to the third annual health awards, introducing NHS chief executive Simon Stevens to the stage to open the event.
He said: “Now in its third year, the awards have quickly become one of the highlights of our annual calendar.
“This year the response from readers has been quite incredible with a record number of nominations pouring in to us.
“The sheer strength of feeling from readers about those they have seen going above-and-beyond the call of duty is humbling.
“When we began these awards last year we were blown away by the number of nominations that came in from readers who wanted to pay tribute to their health heroes.
“This year was no different. The strength of feeling for those who go above and beyond across the NHS and in the charity sector is truly remarkable.”
The strength of feeling for those who go above and beyond across the NHS and in the charity sector is truly remarkable
Tony Gallagher
Mr Stevens added: “These quiet miracle-workers are all that is best about Britain - they truly make us proud of our NHS and everything it represents.
“On behalf of the whole NHS I would like to say thanks to them, and to The Sun, for the chance to recognise their brilliance.”
Health secretary Matt Hancock, who presented the award for Mental Health Hero, praised The Sun for leading the way in putting mental health centre stage, in part through the You're Not Alone campaign.
He told the audience: "The Sun has helped to lead the national debate.
"I pay tribute to everyone at The Sun who has played their part in making that happen.
"This week is mental health awareness week and this recognises and allows people to talk about it.
"I'm delighted to present this award."
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The other winners included Professor Kypros Nicolaides for the Best Neonatal Specialist who was nominated by Sherrie Sharp after performing pioneering keyhole surgery for spina bifida on her son Jaxson.
Jane Parke, from the Royal Cornwall Hospital, won the award for Best Midwife after helping save the lives of Jenson and Reuben who were born at just 22 weeks - and became the youngster surviving twin boys.
Former English rugby union player Matt Hampson won the award for the Best Health Charity after he was left paralysed in a scrum in 2005.
He can now only breathe with the help of a ventilator yet set up his charity the Matt Hampson Foundation to help others.
Virgin Breakfast show host Chris Evans who is presented the award for Best Nurse entertained the audience with a game of NHS A to Z, before naming Liz Monaghan winner of the accolade.
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Turning to Health Secretary, for letter 'J', Matt Hancock replied: "Junior doctor."
Chris quipped: "Junior doctor, well done Matt Hancock, boom. That will build a few bridges."
Honoured to receive her award, Liz told Lorraine: "I feel embarrassed, I am a small cog in a big wheel.
"I feel a bit of a fraud, but thank you very much."
Liz Monaghan, who is the matron of the Florence Nightingale Hospice in Aylesbury, Bucks, came up with the idea for the widely praised Purple Rose initiative to improve the care for patients in the last days of their life and used her own money to fund the project.
Dr Berkeley Phillips, UK Medical Director of Pfizer, presented th Groundbreaking Pioneer award, sponsored by Pfizer, to Guy's and St Thomas' London Auditory Brainstem Implant (ABI) Service.
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The team were nominated by Bob and Alison Armitage whose daughter Leia, eight, was born with a rare form of deafness and was never expected to speak.
But she now can thanks to pioneering brain surgery and speech therapy carried out by the ABI service.
Ify Nwokoro, who was paralysed following a road traffic accident in 2009, was given the award for Unsung Hero, after giving up his time to support patients with spinal injuries at The James Cook University Hospital in Middlesbrough.
The Mental Health Hero award went to Ben West, who lost his brother Sam, 15, to suicide last year and since his death has tirelessly campaigned to raise awareness of mental health.
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Dr Matthew Boulter, a GP at St Clare Medical Centre in Penzance, Cornwall, was crowned Best Doctor after being nominated by patient Sue Robinson, who says “every town should have a Dr Boulter”.
Presenting the award, comedian, author and junior doctor Adam Kay paid tribute to all NHS staff across the country.
He said: "I'm reminded the 30 or so nominees represent the 1.5 million heroes who work for the NHS day in, day out, going beyond the call of duty."
A special recognition award in honour of the late Sun Health Editor, Christina Newbury, went to the Natasha Allergy Research Foundation (NARF).
The foundation was set up by the family of Natasha Ednan-Laperouse who died after suffering an allergic reaction to a Pret A Manger baguette on a flight to France in 2016.
Since her death, her family, parents Nadm and Tanya and brother Alex have successfully campaigned for better food labelling and Natasha’s Law will come into force next year.
The Duchess of York, Sarah Ferguson, who presented the family with the award, told the audience: "Can I just say to The Sun, I think you’re incredible. So next year I’m coming again.
"I’m sitting there and every minute I’m sitting there and thinking I’m so lucky. You think about how much you complain about the weather, it’s amazing.
"The NHS, the Sun and all of you, this is what makes Britain so great. Thank you for inviting me."
Who Cares Wins Awards: The winners
BEST HEALTH CHARITY
Winner: Matt Hampson Foundation
Former English rugby union player Matt Hampson set up a charity to help others after being left paralysed in a scrum in 2005.
Other nominees: Superhero Foundation and Team Domenica
BEST NEONATAL SPECIALIST
Winner: Professor Kypros Nicolaides
Professor Nicolaides performed pioneering keyhole surgeon on Sherrie Sharp’s unborn son Jaxon. By extraordinary coincidence, as a young surgeon, he also operated on Sherrie’s mother when she was in the womb.
Other nominees: Dr Vesna Pavasovic and Professor Massimo Caputo
UNSUNG HERO
Winner: Therapeutic Care Volunteers at South Tees NHS Foundation Trust
30 therapeutic care volunteers, who all have a learning or physical disability, give up their time to support patients with spinal injuries at The James Cook University Hospital in Middlesbrough. They include Ify Nwokoro.
Other nominees: Ben Slack and Rob Allen
GROUNDBREAKING PIONEER, SPONSORED BY PFIZER
Winner: Guy’s and St Thomas’ London Auditory Brainstem Implant (ABI) Service
Leia Armitage, eight, was born with a rare form of deafness and was never expected to speak. But she now can thanks to pioneering brain surgery and speech therapy carried out by Guy’s and St Thomas’ London Auditory Brainstem Implant (ABI) Service.
Other nominees: Dr Helen Spencer and Girish Vajramani
BEST DOCTOR
Winner: Dr Matthew Boulter
Dr Boulter served in Afghanistan, teaches wild trauma to army medics and his surgery became the first in Cornwall to be given veteran friendly accreditation.
Other nominees: Margaret France and Dr Bijay Sinha
BEST MIDWIFE
Winner: Jane Parke
Jane helped deliver the youngest surviving twin boys in Britain when they were born at 22 weeks last year. She flew 190 miles with their mum Jennie Powell to a specialist neonatal unit.
Other nominees: Charlotte Day and Nagmeh Teymourian
ULTIMATE LIFESAVER
Winner: Ruth Lowe and Nick Evans
Porters Ruth and Nick saved the life of Sarah and Mike Clifford’s seven-week-old baby Logan. He stopped breathing as they walked through the main entrance of The Princess Royal Hospital in Telford to visit a sick relative.
Other nominees: Dr Mark Forrest and Mike Merrett
BEST NURSE
Winner: Liz Monaghan
Liz is the Matron of the Florence Nightingale Hospice in Aylesbury, Bucks, and came up with the idea for the widely praised Purple Rose initiative to improve the care for patients in the last days of their lives.
Other nominees: Margaret Ballard and Carlton DeCosta
MENTAL HEALTH HERO
Winner: Ben West
Ben lost his brother Sam, 15, to suicide last year and since his death, has campaigned tirelessly to raise awareness for mental health.
Other nominees: Beth Gregan and Catherine Benfield
YOUNG HERO
Winner: Ronnie Musselwhite
Ronnie offered to help his sister Ebonie by giving her a bone marrow transplant when she was diagnosed with a rare form of leukaemia. Ebonie nominated her brother for his bravery before she died in June.
Other nominees: Bella Field and Kaitlyn Wright
Sun columnist Lorraine and the awards host has nothing but praise for the NHS, who she credits with saving her life after a horse-riding accident in 2012.
She said previously: “They are there in our hour of need and never crumble in a crisis, despite the immense pressures they face.
“The care and compassion our incredible NHS workers show is something I have witnessed first-hand.
"After my riding accident the team at St George’s Hospital in South London saved my life and put me back together."
She added: "The Sun’s brilliant awards are a chance for us to celebrate these everyday heroes who work in all corners of the NHS.
"Our healthcare workers dedicate their lives to caring for us and making us feel better. The Who Cares Wins awards are your chance to make them feel better."
TV host Christine Lampard, 40, also praised the NHS staff as heroes after relying on them when 11-month-old daughter Patricia broke out in a rash.
Christine says: “It was a Saturday night and A&E was rammed. There were several slightly drunk patients, some loud. I thought, ‘Gosh, how do these staff keep it in order?’
“Some patients were demanding to be seen immediately. It’s so hard for staff, they probably get little thanks.
"As much as some people say negative things about the NHS, the people at the coalface are hard-working, good people.
“Where would we be without the NHS? To think, at 2am, you can go and ask for professional help . . . we are blessed.
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MORE ON WHO CARES WINS
"No one wants to be in hospital, but to think you’ve got people there that just might make it OK is the biggest gift.
“We’ve got to protect the NHS and let its workers know we appreciate all they do.”
Speaking of the awards, the Loose Women panellist said: “It’s one night when these people get thanks. It’s a hugely important evening.”
Boris Johnson thanks NHS staff at The Sun’s 2019 health awards
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