19 September 2023

Teams who arranged a wedding to fulfil the dying wish of a patient in just six hours were among the latest winners of Frimley Health's Values into Practice (ViP) awards.

The awards were presented by Chief Executive Neil Dardis at September's Board of Directors meeting and honoured colleagues who have exemplified the Trust's shared values – committed to excellence, working together and facing the future. 

Staff at Frimley Park pulled together to help the 57-year-old man with a rapidly progressing illness marry his partner of 30 years while he was an inpatient. Three nursing teams from the medical acute dependency unit, palliative care the lung cancer nurse specialists rapidly organised the entire event in record time, which meant the couple could marry that day with their children present. The groom died peacefully just a few hours later. 

The Trust also honoured staff on ward F6 at Frimley Park. They were nominated by a patient who was really impressed with how everyone in the team stayed cheerful and attentive, even though they were clearly working hard under pressure.

Neil Webb, Frimley Health's senior lead nurse for workforce, was nominated by several colleagues because he continually goes out of his way to support nursing teams, using his expertise and wisdom to help them deliver safe, quality care. 

A special gold ViP award was presented to Nigel Foster, who has stepped down from the Trust Board after five years as Finance Director to take up the role of Senior Responsible Officer for the New Frimley Hospital Programme.