Two in running for top awards
A hospital porter, dubbed a “walking encyclopaedia” of the job, and a manager who rose through the ranks to a top role, are in the running for national awards.
Keith Bellfield has been nominated for the Dennis Southern Award for Endeavour at the national MyPorter Awards while Mark Turner, Head of Portering and Security, is up for the Leadership of the Year title.
Both men work for City Hospitals Independent Sunderland Commercial Enterprises Ltd (CHoICE) – a subsidiary company of South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust which provides estates and facilities management services.
Bosses say Keith, who has 38 years’ experience, is a “fabulous employee and a huge asset to our department”
They say his customer service is outstanding and he has an unrivalled knowledge of the job.
His manager Claire Dodds said: “Keith’s efforts not only benefit the entire department, but set an example and inspire his co-workers.
“Despitetheoverwhelming amount of work everyone has had to do because of the ongoing pandemic Keith’s willingness to assist others and his commitment to supporting new staff is unequalled.”
Mark joined the NHS more than20yearsagoasapart-time porter while at university and has been in his current role for seven years.
Among his recent achievements is the launch of a new porter system which co-ordinates 400 tasks a day.
His nomination notes: “Mark leads by example and genuinely cares about every one of his staff. He will go out of his way to help anyone who needs it, even offering support whilst not at work.”
The award winners will be announced today.
Wayne Carr, Director of CHoICE, said: “The MyPorter awards raise the profile of the important and highly valued work of NHS portering teams.
“Our colleagues work across a number of areas in the healthcare services and playavitalroleinensuringthat CHoICE enable the delivery of safe and high-quality patient care.”
He added: “The pandemic has very much highlighted how much we rely on our estates and facilities colleagues andtheteamhavebeenpivotal in ensuring front line services were maintained.
“Mark and Keith are well deserving of this honour.”