Trauma specialist urges Gazette readers to nominate their health heroes

Those were the words of Deputy Ward Manager Ruth Linney, who works in the trauma and orthopaedics department of South Tyneside District Hospital.

Ruth, who has worked for the Trust for 20 years, says she loves her job and knowing that she is making a difference to the lives of the patients she cares for keeps her motivated each day.

She said: “I love my job and I have always wanted to be a nurse.

“I have always been brought up to treat people as equals and I think it is really important in my role to be outspoken, so I am happy to be a patient advocate.

“I treat everybody the way that I would like my own family to be treated, I think that is really important.

“My aim is to provide the best care we can for everybody.”

Ruth works along side two other ward managers who oversee a team of around 30.

Her role sees her ensure that patients are cared for in a safe environments and standards are met.

She feels passionately about being an advocate for patients and says her desire to do the role may come from her upbringing - as both her mum Margaret Douglass, is a ward manager at the hospital and her sister, Beth Douglass, is a student nurse.

Urging people to get nominating for the Shields Gazette and Sunderland Echo’s Best of Health Awards, Ruth said: “We all work incredibly hard and I think that people should be recognised for the work that they do.

“If you have seen somebody single-handedly do something that has made an impact to a patient or relative or member of staff they should be recognised and rewarded.

“It would be a morale boost and I would urge people if they something positive like that to nominate them.

“From the clerks to domestics, the place couldn’t run top to bottom without everyone pulling together and everybody deserves praise for great work.”

THE SPONSORS

Once again the Shields Gazette and Sunderland Echo is holding the annual awards in partnership with South Tyneside NHS Foundation Trust and City Hospitals Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust.

The sponsors for this year’s awards include Sunderland Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG), and East Coast Fitness.

THE TIMELINE

The deadline for all nominations to be submitted is Friday, April 5, and the judges will meet the following week to decide on the shortlist.

The final will be held at the Roker Hotel, in Sunderland, on Thursday, May 9.

HOW TO ENTER

To nominate, send your name, address and phone number, as well as your email address, if applicable.

Send the name of the person you wish to nominate, along with their address, telephone number and email (if known).

Remember to include the category you are putting your nominated cause into.

And send a detailed reason as to why you think your nominated person or organisation should be choen as the winner.

There are three ways you can nominate;

* Email those entries to [email protected]

* Send them to Lynn Wild, Alexander House, Second Floor, Rainton Bridge Business Park, Houghton-le-Spring, Sunderland, DH4 5RA.

* Nominate online. Visit the website at http://www.nehealthawards.co.uk

THE CATEGORIES

GP or GP Practice of the Year.

Dentist or Dental Practice of the Year.

Pharmacist or Pharmacy of the Year.

Hospital Doctor of the Year.

Nurse of the Year.

Optometrist of the Year.

Therapist of the Year.

Midwife of the Year.

Care Worker of the Year.

Customer Service/Unsung Hero of the Year.

Community Healthcare Initiative Year.

Healthier Lifestyle Award.

Mental Wellbeing Award.

Lifetime Achievement Award.