IT WAS a night that honoured dozens of unsung heroes who work round the clock to care for patients on Southampton’s hospital wards.

Hundreds of medical staff packed the Novotel, in Southampton, to find out who had picked up the prestigious Hospital Heroes awards, including the Daily Echo’s Hospital Heroes Readers Choice Award.

We teamed up with Southampton University Hospitals NHS Trust (SUHT) to find hospital staff who have gone the extra mile to help those in need.

Southampton General Hospital’s Rosie Mitchell held off the challenge of nine other nominees to collect the gong.

Rosie, who has worked in the Paediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) for 11 years, was nominated by her colleague Sue Robson for her dedicated charity work, having raised an incredible £600,000 in just five years after setting up the Friends of PICU charity.

Announced as winner by Daily Echo editor Ian Murray, Rosie said: “There were so many other deserving nominees up for the award so it was an honour.”

The two runner-up awards went to Ulysses Sayson, for his dedication helping post-operation patients, and Jane Winter, who helped a Hampshire great-grandmother survive three different cancers.

The Daily Echo award was one of eleven awards presented as part of SUHT’s annual Hospital Hero Awards, to recognise staff for their outstanding work during the past 12 months.

TV star Esther Rantzen presented the other prizes, including a special award to 100-year-old Hilda Kemp for her 56 years of volunteering.

• All nominees received complimentary tickets to Sister Act at The Mayflower.

The winners

Chief Executive’s Employee of the Year Winner: Peter Rhodes, principal pharmacist, pharmacy Runner-up Imogen Fecher, colorectal advanced nurse practitioner, upper GI

Team of the Year Winner Cardiac theatre team Runner-up Respiratory centre team

Chairman’s Award for Leadership Winner Annette Mason, ward sister, infectious diseases unit Runner-up Marion Bettey, inflammatory bowel disease specialist nurse

Education and Training Winner Carrie Hamilton, simulated patient lead, training and development Runner-up Bruce Armstrong, Emma Tabenor and Mandy Anderson, emergency department

Southampton Hospital Charity Star Award Winner Joan Newman, clinical nurse specialist, cancer care Runner-up Elaine Havercroft, senior healthcare assistant, neonatal unit

The “Gift of Time”

Volunteer Winner Steve Mullane, chairman of Southampton Hospital Radio Runner-up Sue Wolstenholme,

Southampton Area Talking Echo Southern Daily Echo Award Winner Rosie Mitchell Runners-up Jane Winter and Ulysses Sayson Patient and Safety Experience Winner Sarah Sharp, specialist dietician Runner-up VTE prevention team, colorectal advanced nurse practitioner, upper GI

Excellence in Customer Care Winner Amanda Clowes, outpatient nurse manager, dermatology Runner-up Jeanette Williams, ward clerk, F8, stroke unit

Equality and Diversity Award Winner Isla Watson, vulnerable adults project worker/HCA emergency department Runner-up Megan Cumming, clinical nurse specialist, chronic pain clinic