West Hertfordshire Hospitals NHS Trust staff recognised at National BAME Health and Care Awards

West Hertfordshire Hospitals NHS Trust (WHHT) is celebrating five wins in the national BAME Health and Care Awards 2021, including success in the BAME Nurse of the

Year and BAME Midwife of the Year categories.

The BAME Health and Care Awards recognise and celebrate the achievements of black, Asian and minority ethnic (BAME) staff and allies from across the health and care fields in significantly improving career development support for BAME staff.

WHHT chief executive Christine Allen said: “I’m absolutely delighted that we had 12 nominees in these awards showcasing the talent of our BAME staff who account for over 40 per cent of our workforce.

"Their contribution makes us the trust that we are.”

Theresa Maunganidze, Covid-19 matron, won the BAME Nurse of Year, and Angelina Ankomah, diabetes lead midwife, won BAME Midwife of the Year.

The judges were impressed by the commitment, dedication and inspiring leadership demonstrated by both Theresa and Angelina.

Further winners include Dr Rama Vancheeswaran, consultant chest and general physician, and Dr Hala Kandil, consultant microbiologist, who jointly won the Clinical Champions award.

They were commended for dedication and commitment to patients on the pandemic frontline and commitment to quality improvement in antimicrobial stewardship, respectively.

Daisy Peets, advice and guidance officer for the Connect BAME Network, scooped the Compassionate and Inclusive Leader (Network) award for her inspiring leadership demonstrated since the network was formed in 2006.

Tejal Vaghela, chair of the trust’s Connect network for BAME staff, said: “I am very proud that so many of our BAME staff have been recognised in these awards.

"All the winners and finalists inspire everyone who knows them. Winning the awards has shone a light on our amazing BAME talent at West Herts.”

Other finalists include Nikki Kahllon, co-chair of the Connect BAME Network, Dr Sankara Narayanan, neonatal lead consultant, Arfan Bhatti, equality, diversity and inclusion lead, Tejal Vaghela, Connect chair, Marsha Jones, former associate nurse at WHHT, Shruthi Konda, former clinician at WHHT, and Margarida Pacheco, lead nurse patient experience.