Caring Kay is matron of honour

PROUD moment . . . Kay Miller receives the Nurse of the Year Award from Sally Gunnell and Roy McIver of sponsors NG Bailey

AN OLDHAM critical care matron has scooped the Pennine Acute Trust’s Nurse of the Year Award.

Kay Miller, who works at the Royal Oldham Hospital, was praised for her outstanding commitment and dedication to her team and patients at the Trust’s second annual staff awards event.

The 12 award categories recognised the best of patient care, dedication and innovation among 10,000 staff covering hospital sites in Oldham, Rochdale, Bury and North Manchester.

Sally Gunnell OBE, former British Olympic athlete turned television presenter and sports commentator, announced Mrs Miller’s win at a special final awards ceremony at Manchester City Stadium.

Mrs Miller, (38), from Royton, started as a nurse in Oldham in 1990. She said: “All I ever wanted to be was a nurse.

“I love my job and work with some fantastic colleagues, not only in Oldham but across the Trust.

“We have been very busy over the last few months successfully merging new critical care teams from Rochdale Infirmary and The Royal Oldham.

“The transfer has gone relatively smoothly and everyone seems to be settling in following the changes.”

Mrs Miller praised her teams as “excellent”.

She said: “Being a nurse matron, especially in critical care, is both challenging and rewarding. I love it.

“This award means everything.”

As part of the Healthy Futures’ reconfiguration of services, the critical care team moved beds from Rochdale Infirmary to North Manchester General Hospital, The Royal Oldham Hospital and Fairfield General Hospital in Bury.

Mrs Miller played an instrumental role in achieving this while maintaining a high level of staff morale and great teamwork.

Presenting the award, Sally Gunnell OBE, said: “These awards are an opportunity to thank those staff that go the extra mile and have shown strong leadership, innovation, can do attitude and exemplary patient care.”

She added: “The winners of these awards are true champions and should be congratulated.”

Other Royal Oldham staff to win on the night included colleagues working in CT and MR imaging who scooped the Support Function Team of the Year.

The team was praised for adopting a positive and proactive approach during major refurbishment work in the department, which included the installation of new equipment including a new state-of-the-art CT scanner.

Labour ward clerk Frances Phillips was also thrilled after winning the award for Administrative Worker of the Year. She was praised by midwifery and obstetric colleagues for her calm, pleasant and willing outlook, and for helping to coordinate staff, patients and relatives.

Roger Pickering, director of human resources at The Pennine Acute Trust, said: “The event is an opportunity to recognise and celebrate those individuals who go that extra mile.”