Two members of staff at The Robert Jones and Agnes Hunt Orthopaedic Hospital have been awarded for the work they do for patients with spinal cord injuries.

Alison Lamb, consultant nurse, and Lynne Morris, service manager, were both winners at the annual Spinal Injuries Association (SIA) Rebuilding Lives Awards at their awards ceremony at the Williams F1 Conference Centre in Oxfordshire.

Alison won the Healthcare Professional of the Year Award, while Lynne was a joint winner of the Rising Star Medal.

The Midland Centre for Spinal Injuries (MCSI) Medical Secretaries and Administration Team were also finalists in the Outstanding Team Award category.

Both Alison and Lynne were nominated by former patient Paul Rhodes.

Speaking about Alison, Mr Rhodes, also a member of SIA’s Peer Support Team, said: “Alison is not just another nurse. Alison’s support and the way she calmly puts you at ease then explains what will be happening to you and how you will be supported is a wonderful help and reassurance.

“Alison is often the first contact patients and families have with the centre (MCSI) and very much puts them at ease. Alison is passionate about treatment of people with spinal cord injuries and will take on anyone who doesn’t treat them in the right way.”

While Mr Rhodes described Lynne as an “integral part of the MCSI team” since she came to work for the team three years ago.

He said: “Lynne secured funding and introduced Saturday clinics to help reduce waiting time lists for outpatients. Lynne is committed to working with other spinal cord injury centres around the UK and always puts the patient first.”

Alison, who has worked at the Orthopaedic for 29 years – 18 of which have been in her current role, said: “I’m absolutely overjoyed to have won this award, just being in the running for the award felt amazing enough, so to win is just wonderful. It means the world to me.

“I feel proud to do the job that I do as part of the MCSI team at the Orthopaedic.”

Lynne said: “It was a real privilege to even be at the ceremony, let alone hear my name called out. What was really special was the fact that a patient had nominated me, that felt fantastic. I couldn’t do what I do without the support of everyone in the Trust and feedback from patients and staff which is so valuable.”

Mark Brandreth, chief executive at the Orthopaedic, said: “Congratulations to both Alison and Lynne on winning in their categories. They’re both truly fantastic members of the team, who are valued by patients and colleagues alike, and their awards truly demonstrate that.

“Well done too to the MCSI Medical Secretaries and Admin team, who were finalists. Paul Rhodes described them as ‘the silent army’ and I agree, they’re a fantastic example of the importance of our non-clinical teams and the work they do.”