Medics are hailed for spinal care ‘century’
MORE than 100 years of caring for spinal injured patients by three NHS staff has been recognised with Lifetime Achievement Awards.
Consultant surgeon Bakul Soni, Sister Sandra McCarthy and occupational therapy lead Julie Jones were honoured at Southport and Ormskirk Hospital NHS Trust’s ninth annual Pride Awards.
The awards came as the North West Regional Spinal Injuries Centre at Southport hospital prepared to host the prestigious international Guttmann conference on spinal injury care.
Between them the award winners have 107 years’ NHS experience, having begun working at the spinal centre in the 1980s.
Presenting the award, chief pperating officer Therese Patten said: “You have been integral to the centre’s success in transforming the lives of hundreds of patients.
“I think it is safe to say the service and care you have given is in the very finest traditions of the NHS. This is an award you each richly and thoroughly deserve.”
More than 300 staff and guests attended the awards at the Floral Hall, Southport. Awards were made in nine categories.
The 34th Guttmann confer- ence is being held today and tomorrow at the Ramada Hotel, Southport.
Emily Hoban, spinal injuries centre manager, said: “We are thrilled to host this conference during the centre’s 70th birthday year.
‘‘There has been a spinal unit in Southport since 1947 and we have developed into an internationally recognised centre for excellence.
“We are honoured to welcome more than 200 delegates, experts and professionals in the field of spinal injury rehabilitation and care.”
Clinical direc- tor Bakul Soni is internationally recognised for the surgical techniques he has developed while at Southport. He is also a fellow of the International Spinal Society and the author, or co-author, of more than 300 publications.
Sandra McCarthy has been sister at the Spinal Centre since 1997. She was key in setting up the outreach community service and was also the nurse escort for the Great Britain wheelchair rugby team between 1987 and 1992.
Julie Jones joined the spinal team in 1975. She is the occupational therapy team leader and is also a member of the management team that runs the Spinal Unit Action Group’s residential home.