HAMPSHIRE health professionals have been awarded for their work to improve patients’ lives.

Southampton Cancer Clinical Trials Team and the Solent Homeless Healthcare team are among the winners of health awards.

Their achievements in health research have been celebrated in a ceremony at the Ageas Hilton Hotel in Southampton.

Cancer Clinical Trials Team from the University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust was awarded for the excellence of its work in offering patients new anti-cancer drugs.

Liane Davis, senior research nurse at UHS and a member of the cancer research team, said: “The Southampton Cancer Clinical Trials team are very honoured to have been nominated and are absolutely delighted to have won the award.“It is a great honour to be recognised for the hard work and dedication the team provides.”

“We are dedicated to offering our patients the most up to date treatment and supporting them and their families throughout.”

Meanwhile, the Solent Homeless Healthcare team was prized with the “Outstanding Clinical Team” award for the work they do to improve the health of homeless people in the city.

The event was organised by the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) and Clinical Research Network Wessex (CRN Wessex), which works to increase the opportunities for patients to take part in clinical research and ensure that studies are carried out efficiently.

Rebecca Mckay, chief operating officer of CRN Wessex, said: “The CRN Wessex awards ceremony was a great opportunity to celebrate the very diverse and exciting research that is taking place across Wessex everyday, from healthcare for the homeless to hi-tech critical studies, all delivering innovative care to patients.

“We would like to thank everyone who joined us for the awards and send our congratulations to all the winners and nominees.”

The winners were announced and welcomed to the stage by professor Nick Lemoine, medical director of the NIHR clinical research network.

Overall 10 awards were won, including a special award for outstanding achievement, which was presented to the Critical Care Team at Poole Hospital Trust.