STAFF at Hampshire hospitals received several awards for their outstanding contribution to learning during the inaugural Acorn Education Awards.

Hampshire Hospitals NHS trust, which which runs Basingstoke and North Hampshire Hospital, Royal Hampshire County Hospital, in Winchester, and Andover War Memorial Hospital, celebrated the efforts of staff make to promote and celebrate learning, whether that be students on placement, staff who have a brilliant mentor, or measures that have been taken to encourage staff to take up educational opportunities.

The Acorn Education Awards were held at the Ark, Basingstoke and North Hampshire Hospital.

Kordo Saeed, consultant microbiologist, picked up two awards - Mentor/ Supervisor of the Year and he also won the final award of the event, the Director of Medical Education Award. Kordo said: “I was ecstatic to win one award, but to win two left me speechless. It was so nice to be appreciated by the junior staff I have helped to train.

“It was amazing to see so many nominations for these awards. I think it shows that education is held in very high regard by the Trust and viewed as being important.”

The Placement of the Year award went to Ward G2 at Basingstoke hospital, for creating a positive experience for a student working with them. Educational Team of the Year went to the long term conditions admin team, who have had a particular impact on admin staff across the trust, while the communications team won the Best Patient and Public Involvement Award for work on the hospital open day.

Alex Whitfield, chief executive of Hampshire Hospitals, said: “It’s really important for us to provide all the support our staff need to grow and develop within their roles. The mentors and teams work so hard to promote learning, which is why it’s so exciting to celebrate them and all the fantastic work.