Top orthopaedic team takes Pennine title

WINNING line-up . . . (back row, from the left) Kim Good, theatre sister at the Royal Oldham Hospital, Amanda Woodall, T4 ward sister at Oldham, Sylvia Taylor, directorate manager for orthopaedics, based at Oldham, actress Sally Lindsay, Andrew Lofthouse, from sponsors Key Care and Support; Jean Page, divisional nurse manager at Rochdale, and Susan Darch, theatres team leader at Oldham. Front: Julie Walton, trauma co-ordinator at Oldham, Margaret Davenport, acting pre-operative assessment manage

A DEDICATED health team from Oldham and Rochdale has scooped the top title of Frontline Team of the Year.

The orthopaedic team which works across the Royal Oldham Hospital and Rochdale Infirmary won the accolade in Pennine Acute Trust’s first staff awards event. The team beat off competition from the trust’s five hospitals which together employ 10,000 people.

The awards have 12 categories which aim to recognise the very best of patient care, dedication and innovation.

Former “Coronation Street” barmaid Sally Lindsay, applauded the team when she presented the awards at a sparkling ceremony at Manchester City Stadium.

It won for its work to improve trauma and orthopaedic services across the two hospitals.

The changes involve all surgery on people with badly broken bones being undertaken by a specialist emergency surgery team at the Royal Oldham, and Rochdale becoming a centre of excellence for planned day-case orthopaedic surgery, such as knee and shoulder complaints.

Follow-up appointments take place at a patients’ local hospital.

Oldham-based Sylvia Taylor, directorate manager for orthopaedics, said: “The team were absolutely thrilled to win the award as it showed how the trust valued the hard work and effort made by every member.”