TV presenter and musician Myleene Klass attended the NHS Staff Awards at Wembley Stadium on Wednesday 27 November. The event celebrated the work of NHS staff from London North West University Healthcare.
Myleene told the audience she had turned down an invitation to a Robbie Williams premiere to attend the event. She said: “Fifty years ago, my mum bravely got on a boat to England from the Philippines to work as a nurse in the NHS. I was raised in the nursing community, so I’ve seen first-hand what you sacrifice working long hours and being away from your families to help ours. There was no way I was going to miss tonight to make sure you get the celebration you deserve!”
She added: “As a mother of three I use the NHS a lot; and with my son being a typical boy you can well imagine we’re in A&E quite a bit!”
Myleene praised NHS staff, saying: “You see us at our worst and you pick us up. We are humbled by you. From the bottom of my heart, thank you.”
The awards recognised more than 10,000 staff from Northwick Park, Ealing, and Central Middlesex hospitals. These staff care for around 1 million people in north west London.
Sachelle Connor, a producer, director, and journalist, hosted the evening. She said: “I am honoured to be here with you this evening.
“The NHS is close to all our hearts, but I’ll tell you a little bit about why the NHS holds a special place in mine. I have a friend who was suffering with Stage 4 Lymphoma – a blood cancer.
“He was almost at the end of his life and miraculously, LNWH not only brought him back to life, but he no longer has Lymphoma! That is a testament to the work that each and every one of you does to serve and look after us all. So thank you! Let’s have a great night celebrating YOU!”
Award winners included Elgar ward and the IDAR team for their dedication to patient care and improving patient experience. The Beryl Carr award, named after the NHS’s oldest volunteer at 102 years old, was awarded to two winners: the Butterfly Volunteer Team for their work in end-of-life care and the Children and Young People’s Patient Council for their role in improving services for young people.
Chief Executive Pippa Nightingale said: “I could go on and on reading to you all of our achievements from this year; a huge round of applause to you all!
“It’s a difficult time for the NHS but you keep on working harder and going further for our patients and it’s absolutely fantastic what we’re achieving thanks to your efforts.
“It’s fantastic to be with you celebrating tonight, and we also thank colleagues working tonight for their dedication to our patients.
“I also thank our special guest Myleene Klass, fantastic compere Sachelle Connor and our local mayors and councillors for joining us on this magnificent evening.”
The awards were supported by LNWH Charity.
Chris Mitchell is the founder and editor of Harrow Online, Harrow’s leading local news platform.
He launched Harrow Online in 2010 as a Facebook page sharing local news and information. Since then, it has grown into a trusted source for breaking news, crime, council decisions, planning, transport, business and community stories across the borough.
Harrow Online reaches hundreds of thousands of readers each month and has a social media audience of more than 200,000 followers.
For news tips, press releases or enquiries, contact Chris at info@harrowonline.org.
