Worthy winners of Yorkshire Evening Post Health Awards revealed

Health workers are the unsung heroes of our city and today the very best of them were honoured and recognised at the Yorkshire Evening Post Health Awards 2019.

The 11 worthy winners were revealed at a ceremony, with posh afternoon tea, in the Norman Hunter Suite, at Leeds United’s Elland Road stadium.

Hosted by BBC Look North presenter Harry Gration who welcomed the award winners on stage as Yorkshire Evening Post editor Laura Collins told how “every single nominee was a hero - whether they won an award or not.”

Following a flood of entries for accolades across 11 different categories, a specialist panel of judges selected the winners who stand out from the crowd, when it comes to health, public and voluntary sectors in our city.

Harry Gration said: “Everyone here today is a worthy winner. It is extremely humbling to hear about their tireless efforts.”

YEP Editor Laura Collins said: “These awards and the people we are recognising epitomise everything that is great about Leeds.

“For us, it's all about celebrating the achievements of those who go above and beyond - the seemingly ordinary people who make an extraordinary contribution every single day.”

Jack Smith, 15, from Gipton, who saved his brother Connor’s life last year when he became impaled on his bike handlebars after falling off in Roundhay Park.

Jack said he was honoured to be named winner of the Young healthcare Hero award.

There was not a dry eye in the house when it was announced that Jack had won the Young Healthcare hero award.

He was too shy to walk up on stage to accept his award from Harry Gration so his mum Emma did instead.

Afterwards Jack recalled what happened on that fateful day in Roundhay Park last year.

Jack said: "I knew it was bad and stemmed the bleeding and then called an ambulance and called my mum."

The celebrations included an exclusive tour of the stadium and a drinks reception kindly sponsored by the new alcohol-free spirit Amplify.

It comes after the YEP last month unveiled our long-awaited shortlist across the 11 Health Awards categories, after our judges completed the difficult task of choosing which of the many worthy nominees most deserved to be invited to today’s awards celebration.

Judges this year included Coun Helen Hayden, who chairs Leeds City Council’s adults, health and active lifestyles scrutiny board; Healthwatch Leeds chief executive Hannah Davies, and trainee GP Hannah Barham-Brown, a disability campaigner.

And rounding off the judging panel was Russ Piper, chief executive of main health awards sponsor Sovereign Health Care.

A spokeswoman for sponsor Amplify said: "Making healthy choices doesn’t mean less fun. Gone are the days of lime and sodas or elderflower cordials and here’s to a new era of mindful drinking."

Winners of the YEP Health Awards 2019

Midwife/Midwife Team of the Year: Nada Abdul, Haamla service midwife, City of Sanctuary Maternity Stream

Therapist of the Year: Emma Beaglehole, paediatric physiotherapist, Leeds General Infirmary

Emergency Response Worker of the Year: PCSO Nick Smith, Leeds District

Mental Health and Wellbeing Award - sponsored by Sovereign Health Care: Paul Butler, community mental health nurse, Personality Disorder Unit

Community Healthcare Award - sponsored by Aire Logic Limited: Integrated Children’s Additional Needs Team, Wortley Beck Health

Highly commended: Meanwood Integrated Neighbourhood Team, Rutland Lodge Health Centre, Leeds Community Healthcare NHS Trust

Carer of the Year: Melanie Moore.of the Mental Health Trust in Seacroft, who also cares for her disabled son Ruben.

Volunteer of the Year: Stuart Yarker, Yorkshire Ambulance Service

Highly commended: Jenny Wilkinson, Martin house Hospice

Nurse of the Year - sponsored by Gama Healthcare: Alison Steadman, Spire Hospital Leeds

Highly commended: Debbie Hale, matron of digital and informatics team and clinical safety officer, Leeds Teaching Hospitals Trust

Doctor of the Year - sponsored by Nova Health Care: Dr Allan Johnston, consultant psychiatrist, Spire Hospital Leeds

Young Healthcare Hero: Jack Smith, 15, from Gipton, who saved his brother’s life

Highly Commended: Daniel Morton and Tabitha Wood

Unsung Hero: Surinder Sapal, advanced practitioner radiographer, Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust

Highly commended: Lauren Bond, domestic on Ward 51, Leeds Children's Hospital

See the special supplement for full coverage and round of the YEP Health Awards 2019 in the Yorkshire Evening Post on Wednesday 11 December for the complete list of winners, shortlisted nominations, photographs and reaction.