Hereford Times Health and Social Care Awards 2024 winners

The Hereford Times Health and Social Care Awards took place on Thursday night (October 3) at Hereford Racecourse.

This year marked the fifth annual awards ceremony, which saw 13 awards presented to people, businesses and charities.

The atmosphere at the awards was one of celebration and excitement as the winners were announced (Image: ROB DAVIES) Melanie Woodhouse and Becky Tolley, a mother and daughter duo from St Michael's Hospice, came out on top with the outstanding contribution to health and social care in Herefordshire award, as well as the palliative or end of life care award. They were recognised for their "palliative care knowledge and incredible gentleness and humour".

Melanie Woodhouse (left) and Becky Tolley (right) (Image: ROB DAVIES) ALSO READ:

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Herefordshire Men's Mental Health Group took home the mental health award for its "innovative approach of mutual support". The other finalists were Abi Chapman of Mobile Care, and We Are Farming Minds.

Robert Milford presents the award to Herefordshire Men’s Mental Health Group, Paul Stevens and Chris Reynolds (Image: ROB DAVIES) Ryeland Surgery won GP Practice of the Year, with the other finalists being Cantilupe and Hampton Dene Surgery and Weobley and Staunton-on-Wye Surgeries. Ryeland Surgery's Dr Crispin Fisher was described as a "model" of how a GP should operate.

Richard Wells presents the award to Ryeland Surgery, Eleanor Brooks-Owen and Izzy Lane (Image: ROB DAVIES) Winning the health care employer award, Hillside Care Centre was praised for "kindness, empathy and support". The other finalists were Alina Homecare Ltd and Katherine Harriet Bespoke Home Care.

Hillside Care Centre, Kathy Windibank and Steven Weller, receiving their award on stage from NMITE's Patricia Xavier (Image: ROB DAVIES) Holmer Court Care Home won the health care team award for its "kind, calm and happy staff", with finalists Lyndale and Marches Family Network also being recognised.

The health care team award went to Holme Court Care Home. (Image: ROB DAVIES) The care trainer award went to Sarah Ellis of Hoople, who was said to "provide a high standard of care training". Also in the final were Rhodora Cunanan of Kington Court Nursing Home and Kate Shaw of Katherine Harriet Bespoke Home Care.

Dementia Matters Here(fordshire) won the dementia carer award for "going the extra mile to deliver person-centred support". Evelyn Jones of Holmer Court Care Home and Elaine Leney of Ross-on-Wye Meeting Centre also made it to the final.

The dementia carer award went to Dementia Matters Here(fordshire) (Image: ROB DAVIES) Jeny Clarke of Holmer Court Care Home took home the care home worker award, recognised for her "infectious smile". Megan Brown of Kington Court Nursing Home was also recognised in the final.

Oral healthcare professional of the year went to Stella Galer of Tupsley Dental Practice, who provides "outstanding care". The other finalists were Catherine Barnett of St Martin's Dental and Implant Clinic and Teresa (Jaye) Jelley of the Dentist at Tupsley.

Nigel Denny presents the award to Stella Galer from Tupsley Dental Practice (Image: ROB DAVIES) Abi Chapman, the "hardworking" deputy manager of Mobile Care was given the domiciliary care worker award, with Altogether Care also in the final.

Richard Claridge presents the award to Abi Chapman (Image: ROB DAVIES) The good nurse award went to Gideon Kusi who "brings compassion, empathy and incredible skills" to Kington Court Nursing Home. Also recognised were Cheryl Kurian, also of Kington Court, and Daniel Pearce of Turning Point.

Sarah Williams presents the award to Gideon Kusi from Kington Court Nursing Home (Image: ROB DAVIES) Shirley Haycock was named care hero and was described as "an asset to Hereford". Also in the final for this award were Karl Waters and Megan Chambers.

Helen Scott presents the award to Shirley Haycock (Image: ROB DAVIES)