Hospital manager '˜gobsmacked' at Sunderland Echo Health Award nomination

A 'gobsmacked' renal unit manager admitted she was stunned after she was nominated for a health award.
Sunderland Hospital renal unit nominated for Sunderland Health Awards.
Helen Blackman (middle)Sunderland Hospital renal unit nominated for Sunderland Health Awards.
Helen Blackman (middle)
Sunderland Hospital renal unit nominated for Sunderland Health Awards. Helen Blackman (middle)

Helen Blackman is the manager of the unit at Sunderland Royal Hospital in Kayll Road.

She and her team handle a workload of 70 people a day who they help with dialysis.

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The renal unit is an outpatient facility for patients whose kidneys have failed. And the team who work there have been hailed as “a real example to us all.”

Now, Helen individually and her team of 26 staff are in the running for honours after being nominated for Sunderland Echo Health Awards.

The nomination added: “They have worked harder, worked longer, stayed later and somehow managed to find time and space for every patient who has needed this treatment.

“Sister Helen and her team deserve to have their praises sung from the rooftops and I really think they should be recognised for their dedication to their patients and to their profession.”

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Helen admitted: “I am gobsmacked really. I am the manager but I could not do what I do without the team behind me. It is a big team and we all work as a team.”

Helen has been at the hospital since 1981 and worked in the renal unit as a speciality since 1984.

She became unit manager in 2005 and said: “The best part of the job, for me, is seeing people well and giving them the best quality treatment that we can so that they can lead the life they want to lead.”

The deadline for nominations is March 21 and the grand finals will be held at the Stadium of Light in Sunderland on April 14.

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To nominate, send your name, address and telephone number, the name of the business or person you wish to nominate, along with their address, telephone number and email (if known) to us.

State which category your nomination applies to (from the list of categories) and provide a description of the reasons for your nomination (no more than 300 words)

Post your nomination to: Nicola Meldrum, Alexander House, Second Floor, Rainton Bridge Business Park, Houghton, Sunderland, DH4 5RA.

Alternatively, email [email protected] or [email protected].

The Categories

Care Worker of the Year

Dentist of the Year

Dental Nurse of the Year

Midwife of the Year

Health Care Assistant of Year

GP of the Year

GP Practice of the Year

Nurse of the Year

Hospital Doctor of the Year

Health Team of the Year

Pharmacist of the Year

Health Volunteer Award

Customer Service Award

Optometrist of the Year Award