Porter's national award for 'outstanding service'

Grace Wood
BBC News, Yorkshire
Bradford Teaching Hospitals Two women stand in an empty restaurant holding an award. One is younger with long curly brown hair. The older woman has black hair and a fringe and is wearing black-rimmed glasses.Bradford Teaching Hospitals
Laura Ward (L) attended the awards ceremony with her mother Amanda

A hospital porter has won a national award for her work supporting patients at a hospital's emergency department.

Laura Ward, a porter at Bradford Royal Infirmary, was awarded the "outstanding contribution to patient experience" prize at the MyPorter Awards at a recent ceremony in London.

Ms Ward, who joined the team in 2023, was described as a "great ambassador to portering services, Bradford Teaching Hospitals and the wider NHS".

Her colleague, Steve Armatage, was a finalist in the "newcomer of the year" category for his work supporting patients with learning disabilities.

Reacting to the award, Ms Ward said: "To be nominated was a shock in itself, but to come first out of all the nominations and the amazing people shortlisted was a feeling unmatched."

Mr Armatage was praised for his use of Makaton to help calm a patient with a learning disability who was "alone and distressed".

Organised by GV Healthcare and NHS England, the awards recognise the work of portering services in hospitals and the healthcare industry.

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