Steve Picks up Health Heroes Award

Congratulations to Steve Dawson, one of 12 regional winners of the nationwide Health Heroes Awards organised by Skills for Health, the National Skills Academy for Health.

The 38 year old from Great Barr is a Healthcare Assistant for Solihull-based Midland Eye and was nominated for the Clinical Support Worker of the Year 2018 category by colleagues for his dedication and commitment to his role and the unstinting support he provides to them every day.

Now in its third year, the Health Heroes Awards celebrate people who go beyond the call of duty. Actor Sunetra Sarker hosted the final of these prestigious Awards (supported by numerous partners including headline sponsor Health Education England) staged at the OX02 Tower of London.

Steve commented: “I was delighted to receive the award and want to thank everyone who voted for me. It was great to receive the recognition for the role I play at Midland Eye.

“I’ve been in healthcare for 20 years and I love what I do. Every patient I care for is treated like a family member, with compassion, empathy and respect. If I can relax the patient and put them at ease then I am happy I’ve made a difference.”

“One of the highlights of the day for me was when our photos were shown on the huge TV screen overlooking Arrival and Departures at Waterloo Station for eight hours from 1600 onwards.”

Midland Eye Clinic Manager Erica Bowen commented: “Steve has taken on the role of Infection Control Link for Midland Eye, promoting and ensuring an environment conducive to continuing the prevention and control of infection for all staff, patients and visitors.

“Steve never fails to go above and beyond what is expected of him. He combines positivity with compassion and puts our patients at the heart of all he does.”

The overall winner of Steve’s category was Maxine Housley from Sheffield, who works in the stoma care department of Sheffield Teaching Hospitals. “Steve commented: “Maxine was a worthy winner and I want to thank everyone who voted for me.”

John Rogers, Chief Executive at Skills for Health, said: “Our Health Heroes gets bigger and better each time and this year was no exception. “We introduced two new categories to allow us to celebrate some of the organisations who are leading the way in the Staff Retention and Wellbeing Employer category and those individuals who have dedicated their lives to healthcare through the Lifetime Achievement #NHS70 award.

“Congratulations to all of those who have been recognised with an award this year, those who have taken home silver and bronze trophies and all 20 of our regional winners in the Clinical and Operational Services Support Worker of the Year categories.”