THE Orthopaedic Hospital in Gobowen is set to be thrown into the spotlight again, after being shortlisted for not one, but two, prestigious awards.

There is double delight for the Robert Jones and Agnes Hunt Orthopaedic Hospital (RJAH), as for the third year in a row, it has been named as a finalist in the Acute and Specialist Trust of the Year category at the Health Service Journal (HSJ) Awards – which are widely recognised as the 'Oscars' of the healthcare sector.

The Trust is also a finalist in a new category, where its efforts to work with the Armed Forces has seen it shortlisted for the Reservist Support Initiative Award.

Mark Brandreth has spoken of his pride in the Trust and of being fortunate enough to be its chief executive.

"I am very proud to see us shortlisted for Trust of the Year for the third year in a row," he said.

"That must be a fairly unusual achievement, and is a testament to our consistently high levels of patient experience and outcomes.

"In the last year we have been rated ‘Good’ overall by the Care Quality Commission (CQC), and ‘Outstanding’ for care.

"Our patients returned what were the best overall set of results in the country in the latest National Inpatient Survey and our Staff Survey feedback was impressive, too.

"We are lucky to have, in my view, the best staff in the NHS, and I consider myself fortunate to be their chief executive."

And on being shortlisted for the Reservist Support Initiative, he added: "Those who are reservists among our staff are given the time to train and serve their country, and we reap the benefits from the skills they gain while on military service, which are then brought back and put to good use in helping us with our aspiration to deliver world class patient care.

"We recognise the sacrifices they make to combine a civilian and military life and career, and are proud to do all we can to support them."

Shortlists for all of the awards have been drawn up by a judging panel made up of a diverse range of highly influential and respected figures within the healthcare community.

The winners will be announced at a gala dinner in the Battersea Evolution Centre, London, on Wednesday, November 6.

HSJ editor Alistair Mclellan, commended the RJAH on its nominations in two categories.

He said: "We would like to congratulate the RJAH on being nominated in two categories ahead of this year’s 2019 HSJ Awards.

"We are looking forward to welcoming them to the ceremony in November, to join us in recognising the very best achievements and innovations in the healthcare sector.

"The entrants this year have been of incredible calibre, and each of the finalists in these two categories have been chosen based on their outstanding commitment to excellence in healthcare."