The unsung Sunderland hero who is in the running for a health award

The man at the helm of a Sunderland GP practice has been hailed as an ‘unsung hero’ who goes the extra mile to help patients.
Kevin Doran (left) with Washington Health Centre staff (left to right) Judith Taylor, Lorraine Day, Lauren Purnell and Rahat Ahmed. Picture by FRANK REIDKevin Doran (left) with Washington Health Centre staff (left to right) Judith Taylor, Lorraine Day, Lauren Purnell and Rahat Ahmed. Picture by FRANK REID
Kevin Doran (left) with Washington Health Centre staff (left to right) Judith Taylor, Lorraine Day, Lauren Purnell and Rahat Ahmed. Picture by FRANK REID

But Kevin Doran - who is practice manager at the Sunderland GP Alliance branches in The Galleries and Barmston - is a reluctant hero who preferred to pass the praise on to others.

Kevin becomes the latest entry in this year’s Best of Health Awards after a series of nominations came in for him.

Kevin Doran in his office at the Washington Health Centre. Picture by FRANK REIDKevin Doran in his office at the Washington Health Centre. Picture by FRANK REID
Kevin Doran in his office at the Washington Health Centre. Picture by FRANK REID
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One patient said: “He is an unsung hero. He’s gone above and beyond to help me.”

Another praised his passion for professional health care while a third said he was “especially helpful.”

Kevin, who has been practice manager for a year, stressed it was teamwork, the support of his head of services Judith Taylor and the ‘teams under us’ that warranted the praise.

He said he was ‘absolutely delighted’ at the nomination but he added: “It is not just me. It is everyone who deserves the credit.”

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Three practices under the Sunderland GP Alliance - Barmston, The Galleries and Pennywell - have 13,000 patients.

Kevin told of the hard work which has gone in to ‘instilling quality processes into the practice.

“We have forged strong links with the community and with primary schools.”

The alliance played a prominent part in the celebration of the 70th anniversary of the NHS. It has also started a dementia friends group which meets every six weeks and aims to reduce social isolation for patients and carers.

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The practice has also held charity events to support Dementia UK.

Kevin said: “For me, it is about treating people with respect. It is seeing every patient walk away with a smile.”

The nominations are streaming in for the competition but we want even more.

We want you to nominate your own health heroes and here are some details of this year’s competition.

THE SPONSORS.

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Once again the Shields Gazette and Sunderland Echo are holding the annual awards in partnership with South Tyneside NHS Foundation Trust and City Hospitals Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust. The sponsors for this year’s awards include Sunderland Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) and East Coast Fitness.

THE TIMELINE.

The deadline for all nominations to be submitted is Friday, April 5, and the judges will meet the following week to decide on the shortlist.

The final will be held at the Roker Hotel, in Sunderland, on Thursday, May 9.

HOW TO ENTER.

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

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Send the name of the person you wish to nominate, along with their address, telephone number and email (if known). Remember to include the category you are putting your nominated cause into. And send a detailed reason as to why you think your nominated person or organisation should be chosen as the winner.

There are three ways you can nominate:

lEmail those entries to [email protected] .

lSend them to Lynn Wild, Alexander House, Second Floor, Rainton Bridge Business Park, Houghton, Sunderland, DH4 5RA.

lNominate online. Visit the website at http://www.nehealthawards.co.uk.

THE CATEGORIES.

l GP or GP Practice of the Year.

l Dentist or Dental Practice of the Year.

l Pharmacist or Pharmacy of the Year.

l Hospital Doctor of the Year.

l Nurse of the Year.

l Optometrist of the Year.

l Therapist of the Year.

l Midwife of the Year.

l Care Worker of the Year.

l Customer Service/Unsung Hero of the Year.

l Community Healthcare Initiative Year.

l Healthier Lifestyle Award.

l Mental Wellbeing Award.

l Lifetime Achievement Award.