Best of Health Awards: The 'outstanding' obstetrician who became lifelong friends to families he cared for

Consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist Nick Matthews was among the winners in last year’s Best of Health Awards, taking the Judges’ Choice trophy.

Mr Matthews, who has worked at Sunderland Royal Hospital for six years, said the awards ceremony was ‘a great night’ and he thanked those who had nominated him.

“It was really nice to know that people had taken the time to nominate me but I am just part of a whole team effort. From Outpatients, Theatre D2 and Ward D47, I have the support of some wonderful colleagues, such as Oncology Nurse Specialist Sister Robyn Lynch.”

The citation said the award was for a doctor ‘whose care has been described as outstanding – time and time again.’

The judges heard how Mr Matthews had become a lifelong friend to families whose loved ones he had treated.

Now, a year on, the search has begun to find the 2020 Best of Health Award winners.

This year’s awards have the support of headline sponsors, South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust as well as the category sponsors who are East Coast Fitness, Wonderful Wig Company and NHS Sunderland CCG.

The deadline for nominations for the Best of Health Awards is Monday, April 6.

Judges will meet to decide on the shortlist of contenders in each category on Wednesday, April 8.

Then, the awards’ glittering grand finale will be held at the Roker Hotel on Thursday, April 30, where all of this year’s winners will be announced – and we will be there to bring you full coverage of the occasion.

After the competition has ended, watch out for a supplement in the Sunderland Echo and the Shields Gazette, filled with more interviews and photographs from the night to remember.

But before then, we need to find the heroes to help to make the health industry tick in South Tyneside and Sunderland.

The best way to do that is for you to send us lots of nominations to make the job as hard as possible for this year’s judging panel.

To nominate, send your name, address and telephone number, as well as your email address, if applicable.

Remember to include the category you are putting your nominated cause into.

Also send the name of the person you wish to nominate, as well as their address, telephone number and email (if known).

Send them by visiting www.nehealthawards.co.uk, emailing [email protected], or posting to Lynn Wild, North East Business and Innovation Centre (BIC), Wearfield Enterprise Park East, Sunderland, Tyne and Wear, SR5 2TA.

THE CATEGORIES

GP/ GP Practice of the Year.

Dentist/ Dental Practice of the Year.

Pharmacist/ Pharmacy of the Year.

Hospital Doctor of the Year.

Nurse of the Year.

Optometrist of the Year.

Therapist of the Year.

Midwife of the Year.

Care Worker of the Year.

Unsung Hero/ Customer Service of the year.

Healthier Lifestyle.