MORE than 150 members of staff and volunteers enjoyed an out-of-this-world experience at Western Sussex Hospitals’ eighth annual Patient First STAR Awards.

The staff recognition awards, held at Fontwell Park Racecourse, saluted the compassion, innovation and dedication of staff and volunteers from across the trust, which includes Worthing Hospital.

The prize dinner and ceremony was launched with a special guest video appearance from astronaut Major Tim Peake – St Richard’s Hospital’s most famous baby!

Speaking from the European Space Agency, Major Tim greeted all the trust’s staff at St Richard’s, Worthing and Southlands hospitals, before saying: “Thank you very much for all you do for your patients and going the extra mile.

“And huge congratulations to the 440 members of staff and volunteers who’ve been nominated for the STAR awards ceremony this year.”

The event was live tweeted from @westernsussex with the hashtag #PFawards and winners’ details were also shared on the trust’s Facebook page which attracted hundreds of comments from colleagues and the public.

Winners on the night included Alan Ittoo, Worthing A&E senior charge nurse, who received the Hospital Hero award with a standing ovation after 40 years’ committed service working in the hospital’s emergency department, without a day off sick.

The Volunteer of the Year prize went to the Flower Team at St Richard’s Hospital in Chichester who decorate the corridors with fresh blooms delivered by local funeral directors at the request of bereaved families.

And the Chairman’s Award recognised the Southlands Ophthalmology Project Team whose members worked tirelessly for 18 months to ensure the relocation this summer of one of the trust’s busiest specialties to a brand new state-of-the-art facility in Shoreham was a triumph.

The Patient First STAR Awards Programme 2017 lists all of this year’s winners and runners-up across the 14 prize categories and is available to download from the trust’s website.

Chief executive Marianne Griffiths said: “Our Patient First STAR Awards are a truly special way to recognise and honour the wonderful work and extraordinary efforts our staff and volunteers undertake every day.

“Congratulations to our winners and everyone who was nominated. You are all stars!

“Thanks also go to event sponsor Love Your Hospital, award sponsors Anytime Fitness, Care UK, Darren Crabb Wealth Management and Proto Food Group, and to KPMG for providing the post-event celebratory champagne, as well as PZAZZ choir.