HOSPITAL stars from Cirencester and all across Gloucestershire were celebrated at a recent NHS awards ceremony.

Gloucestershire Care Services NHS Trust held its second annual Celebrating You awards on Thursday, May 21 with three separate events held across the county, attended by more than 150 colleagues and volunteers from health and social care.

Presenting the awards trust chief executive Paul Jennings said: “These awards are a real opportunity to say thank you to the outstanding individuals and teams who work across the trust’s community health and adult social care services, providing support to local people.

"We received 168 nominations this year, and I know everyone always says it, but it really was difficult to pick our finalists.

"It was an honour to hear members of staff talking so passionately about the work that colleagues are doing day in, day out, and to come together to recognise their dedication and compassion."

One finalist, Rachael Hailstone, works as a physiotherapist in Cirencester and received an award demonstrating high leadership and constantly putting patient care first.

"It's absolutely brilliant," she said, after receiving the award. "I've been working for nearly 18 years now and it's lovely that people recognise it. It's like a big gold star!"

Two other finalists, Andre Curtis and Kirry (CORR) Mitchell, won an understanding you award. The pair look after the gardens and grounds at Cirencester Hospital and said they were thrilled to receive the top accolade.

"We are very proud for all of volunteers," said Andre. "We have about 10 to 15 of them, and we were not expecting this at all. They'll be so excited when we show them."

The three awards ceremonies were held at Cirencester Football Club, Gloucester Guildhall and the Foxes Bridge Community Centre in Cinderford.

Chairman of the trust Ingrid Barker said: "We often hear from our colleagues, service users and their families about the difference that an amazing nurse, therapist, receptionist, administrator and back-office support can make to their experience of the trust.

"There is no bed like your own bed, and that’s why we’re committed to delivering high quality care for the people of Gloucestershire in their neighbourhood. Our finalists are all exceptional, and have all demonstrated a real commitment to understanding what our service users need, and delivering care as close to home as possible."