Lifetime honour for spinal team as centre hosts international conference

More than 100 years of caring for spinal injured patients by three NHS staff was recognised this month 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 prepares 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 Operating 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 conference will be held at the Ramada hotel, Southport, on 29 and 30 June.

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.”