COMMUNITY STARS: Hospital ward health heroes

WHEN a five-day stay in hospital turns into 11 weeks, most patients would begin to have a moan.

But Anne White said her ordeal was made bearable by the "incredible" staff on Amber ward at Southlands Hospital in Shoreham.

Anne, of Hollingbury Road, Findon Valley, has nominated Amber ward in the health heroes category of the Herald and Gazette series' Community Stars Awards.

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Anne, 55, said: "I went to hospital in October last year for an elective hip operation.

"But my five-day stay turned into an 11-week stay when surgeons discovered I had an infection in my hip.

"I simply could not have got through it if it wasn't for the staff on Amber ward."

Cheerful staff

Anne was not able to leave Amber Ward during the 11 weeks and needed countless blood tests and anti-biotics.

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"It is a very busy ward but the staff make you feel important, even if I was there a lot longer than anyone expected," added Anne.

"They are hard working, efficient, cheerful and do their job with good humour and infinite patience.

"Everyone from the ladies who make tea to the popular ward doctor, Magdi Sadig, do their job with a smile on their faces."

Wonderful news

Senior staff nurse on Amber ward, Jane Booth, said: "It is wonderful news to find out our ward has been nominated for an award.

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"It is a busy ward but we all do our best for the patients to make them feel welcome.

"It is such a nice ward to work on because people are happy. The patients have chosen to come in for surgery so they know what to expect.

"This nomination will be a real boost for everyone."

A dedicated team of 19 nurses, two occupational therapists, two senior physiotherapists with assistants, doctors and support staff keep the 26-bed ward running to its high standard.

Amber ward is an elective orthopaedic ward, dealing with planned surgery for in-patients including joint replacement, spinal surgery and minor operations on upper and lower limbs.

Nominate now

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Nominations are flooding in to the Herald and Gazette offices and we want to share people's stories.

Over the coming weeks, we will be featuring the stories of various nominees in the wide variety of categories in the Community Stars awards.

You can nominate anyone you like by selecting the most appropriate category for them and sending in the form to us from now until September.

For a list of categories for the Community Stars awards click here.

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Please keep nominating and allow our communities' outstanding individuals and unsung heroes to have the chance to shine.

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